"Even if they're not as bad as they sound there's really no reason to consume them."<br><br><br><br>
I'm sure there are are all kinds of exaggerated reports of how bad they are. But, indeed, what reason is there to consume them instead of sugar? I love it when people complain that sugar has "empty" calories, and then consume artificial sweeteners instead. What are they thinking? Artificial sweeteners are emtpy <i>sensory stimulators,</i> at best. No micronutrients, no energy (calories) either. They serve no purpose other than to tickel your taste receptors. Personally, I crave something sweet when I need fast energy, not just because I want to "have something sweet." My need for energy causes the desire for something sweet. Artificial sweetners are devices that really <i>easy to fool</i> people use to fool themselves into thinking they are getting energy -- and instead deprive themselves of the energy <i>they need</i>. I seriously doubt that artificial sweetners have never helped anyone lose weight, tho this is usually the purpose they are advertised as serving. As dotnetdiva said: your mouth thinks you got something sweet. The rest of your body knows you haven't. So instead of your desire for food being gratified -- your nerve-based computer calculates that if the amount of sweetness you had didn't do the trick and give you enough energy -- then your body must need <b>more</b> and more and more sweet stuff, and <b>increases</b> your craving for sweet food, and perhaps all food. Some weight-loss aid. People who think artificial sweetners help them lose weight must think that their whole being consists of a mouth, and the rest of their body doesn't exist.