Sugar provides calories and no other nutrients. Sugar or caloric sweeteners can lead to tooth decay.

Drinking large amounts of sugar-containing beverages is associated with obesity in children.

A high intake of sugar does not cause diabetes, but if you are diagnosed with diabetes the amount of simple sugar you eat often needs to be reduced.

People have reported side effects from eating aspartame, but this has not been proven through scientific studies.

Sorbitol may have a laxative effect when eaten in large quantities.

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Sweeteners Food Sources

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Sweeteners Recommendations

Review Date: 05/03/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)