# Arificial Sweeteners? Which is best? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 22, 2021, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123 "2021-09-22T15:18:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123/1 "2021-09-22T15:18:24Z")
In your views, which artificial sweetener is best? I may or may not have diabetes, so I am trying to be proactive. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123/2 "2021-09-22T15:21:14Z")
Taste them all. The one that you like most is the best one. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123/3 "2021-09-22T15:22:56Z")
I like Sucralose, sold under the brand name Splenda, but also available in store brands. But, yes, it’s a personal choice. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123/4 "2021-09-22T15:23:46Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > The one that you like most is the best one. Yep. I use Sweet&Low (the pink packet) in my iced tea. My gf thinks it tastes foul. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I like Sucralose I hate that one! ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123/5 "2021-09-22T15:35:34Z")
The only one I can stand is Splenda. But that shouldn’t matter to you. Try them yourself is the best and only answer. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123/6 "2021-09-22T15:37:39Z")
Not artificial, but you can get Stevia blends\* at a reasonable price ordered in bulk online. Locally in the supermarket they’re pretty expensive. In fact, whatever sweetener you end up with, I recommend buying it in bulk online, you’ll save quite a lot. \*Stevia is a natural plant extract that sweetens but also has some bitter notes, so they usually blend it with a little dextrose to mask the bitter notes. I don’t think the dextrose is enough to trigger any diabetic issues but you should probably check with your doctor. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123/7 "2021-09-22T16:01:34Z")
Pink packets for iced tea. My wife likes Stevia in coffee. I was at a farm market last week that had Stevia plants for sale. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123/8 "2021-09-22T16:29:53Z")
Sweeteners have been extensively studied. Although they are certainly safe at reasonable amounts, it has been suggested they might make some people justify eating other unhealthy foods or cause some release of insulin. Some people find they can have a bitter taste or aftertaste. Ones used in cooking may also taste different (and a few are not meant to be used in baked goods). I do not notice this much, with a few exceptions, and have no strong preferences for many uses. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123/9 "2021-09-22T16:35:50Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > I may or may not have diabetes While working out which artificial sweetener you prefer, doing away with your uncertainty about your health is pretty straight forward. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123/10 "2021-09-22T16:44:16Z")
Don’t artificial sweaters in some sugar free products actually spike blood sugar levels in certain people. I’ve heard that Russel Stover candies were known for this but I think that they may have started using other sweeteners. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123/11 "2021-09-22T16:46:41Z")
Personal preference: sucralose (Splenda) or aspartame (Nutrasweet). I find saccharin (Sweet’N Low) to be very bitter, and most varieties of stevia that I’ve tried have also come across to me as more bitter than sweet. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123/12 "2021-09-22T21:02:51Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > Don’t artificial sweaters in some sugar free products actually spike blood sugar levels in certain people. According to [the Mayo Clinic](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/expert-answers/artificial-sweeteners/faq-20058038#:~:text=Sugar%20substitutes%20don't%20affect,carbohydrates%20on%20a%20diabetes%20exchange.), artificial sweeteners do not spike blood sugar levels or affect them at all. There are non-artificial non-sugar sweeteners called sugar alcohols that can cause gastric distress (bloating, gas, diarrhea) if consumed in large quantities. These were often used in sugar-free candies because candy is usually not consumed in large enough quantities to cause this problem. I think there may be a trend away from this. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123/13 "2021-09-22T21:44:14Z")
Stay away from [xylitol](https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/xylitol-toxicity-in-dogs) if you have pets that might accidentally consume it. ---
**Author:** ![kitap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@kitap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kitap)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123/14 "2021-09-22T21:44:54Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > Don’t artificial sweaters in some sugar free products actually spike blood sugar levels in certain people. I’ve heard that Russel Stover candies were known for this but I think that they may have started using other sweeteners. Interesting autocorrect! I like sucralose and haven’t minded stevia. ---
**Author:** ![Ranch\_Dip](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranch_dip/32/5238_2.png) [@Ranch\_Dip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranch_Dip)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123/15 "2021-09-22T22:34:47Z")
I use monkfruit. ---
**Author:** ![Roger\_That](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roger_that/32/8505_2.png) [@Roger\_That](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roger_That)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123/16 "2021-09-22T22:42:07Z")
My physician recommended that I stop ALL artificial sweeteners except for monkfruit. I’ve done so, with no decline in taste, though I have no idea if doctors actually understand anything about artificial sweeteners. They certainly couldn’t explain to me the reasons monkfruit is good, and all others are bad. ---
**Author:** ![InfraBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infrablue/32/6366_2.png) [@InfraBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InfraBlue)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123/17 "2021-09-22T22:53:38Z")
Stevia and monkfuit blends, and monk fruit and erythritol blends are good. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123/18 "2021-09-22T23:15:03Z")
I’m used to aspartame, so that’s what I go for or, prefereably, a mix of aspartame and ace K. I absolutely loathe stevia. Sucralose is kinda odd to my palate. I don’t outright hate it, but it’s weird. When mixed with ace K, though, I don’t mind it as much. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123/19 "2021-09-23T00:00:57Z")
Ace K sounds like something I should be buying in a back alley. I like Splenda/Sucralose but as said before, it varies so much from person to person\* that you just have to try them. \*like soylent green. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2021, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123/20 "2021-09-23T03:12:45Z")
> [@Roger\_That](#): > > They certainly couldn’t explain to me the reasons monkfruit is good, and all others are bad. Monk fruit and stevia are not artificial, they are natural sugar substitutes. Although I don’t blame you for your skepticism about your doctor’s actual understanding of the research around artificial sweeteners. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/arificial-sweeteners-which-is-best/951123.md?page=2)