Artificial sweeteners and pregnancy
There are many concerns about
diet and nutrition during pregnancy. One such problem is artificial sweeteners
and pregnancy. Should these sweeteners be used during pregnancy? Many women
eliminate sugar from their diet only to replace it with artificially sweetened
foods and drinks.
These guidelines provide
research-based information about the safety of these sweeteners. As with most
things during pregnancy, it's always best to check with your doctor to find out
which artificial ingredients are safe for you during pregnancy.
Use of artificial sweeteners during pregnancy
Artificial sweeteners are
ingredients that add sweetness to foods. Sweeteners are found in soft drinks,
desserts, candies, and baked goods. There are two categories of sweeteners:
nutritious (containing calories) and non-caloric (no calories).
Safety considerations artificial sweeteners and pregnancy
Nutritious sweeteners (such as
table sugar) contain so-called "empty" calories. These supplements
increase the calorie content of the diet, but contain few vitamins and
minerals. When used in moderation, nutritious sweeteners are considered safe to
consume during pregnancy, provided they do not contribute to excessive weight
gain.
However, women with
carbohydrate intolerance, such as gestational diabetes, diabetes mellitus, or
insulin resistance, should limit their intake of food sweeteners.
Nutrient sweeteners include
sugars such as sucrose, dextrose, honey, corn sugar, fructose, and maltose.
Sugar alcohols are also nutritious sweeteners often found in products labeled
"sugar-free". Technically, sugar alcohols are not sugars, but they
contain calories that can be converted to fat.
Examples of sugar alcohols
include sorbitol, xylitol, isomalt, mannitol and hydrogenated starch.
Non-caloric sweeteners are
added to food in very small amounts for a significant sweetening effect and
have been approved for use in diet or low-calorie foods and drinks. Research on
the safety of the use of non-caloric sweeteners during pregnancy is limited.
The following non-caloric sweeteners are considered safe during pregnancy:
Rebaudioside A: (stevia)
It is a common new sweetener
often used in soft drinks and juices. Stevia is considered safe during
pregnancy by experts; it received a rating generally accepted by experts as
safe.
Acesulfame Potassium: (Sunette)
This sweetener is added to
baked goods, frozen desserts, sugar-free gelatins, puddings, and drinks.
Experts believe that acesulfame potassium is safe to use in moderation during
pregnancy.
Aspartame: (equal or NutraSweet)
Aspartame is not effective in
heat or for long periods of time in liquid form. It is often found as an
additive in soft drinks, gelatin, desserts, pudding mixes, breakfast cereals,
drinks, chewing gum, dairy products, and other foods and medicines. According
to experts, aspartame is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
It is recommended to limit
consumption to a moderate level.
Aspartame should not be used
by people with phenylketonuria (a rare metabolic disorder), a rare liver
disease, or pregnant women with high levels of phenylalanine in their blood.
Phenylalanine is a component of aspartame and may not be properly metabolized
in people with these conditions.
Sucralose: (Splenda)
It is a non-caloric sweetener
made from sugar. Sucralose is approved for use in baked goods, baking mixes,
soft drinks, chewing gum, coffee and tea products, confectionery and glazes,
fats and oils, frozen dairy desserts and mixes, fruit juices, sugar
substitutes, sweet sauces, fillings and syrups. It can also be used as a
"table sweetener".
Sucralose does not affect
blood sugar, contains no calories, and is considered safe during pregnancy and
breastfeeding. According to experts, sucralose is safe for everyone, including
pregnant women.
Artificial sweeteners not safe to use during pregnancy:
Saccharin:
Although it is not used as
much today as it was in the past, it is still present in many foods, drinks,
and other substances. Experts consider saccharin safe for the general public.
Old studies that linked saccharin to an increased risk of bladder cancer have
been dismissed.
But studies show that
saccharin crosses the placenta and can remain in the tissues of the fetus, so
its use in pregnant women is still questionable.
Cyclamate:
Cyclamate is currently banned in some countries and there is insufficient data on its safety during pregnancy. If you are using artificial sweeteners and are pregnant, it is always best to discuss with your doctor which sweetener you are using and how much.