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Zero or low calorie drinks are often sweetened with artificial sweeteners to make them more
appealing.
A common sweetener is aspartame, which is 200 times sweeter than sugar.
Aspartame is considered to be safe, but there is increasing concern that aspartame can cause
nerve damage, and some of its metabolites are linked to brain damage.
Acesulfame potassium is another common sweeter, and is also 200 times sweeter than sugar.
Animal studies have linked it with the development of cancer, especially in males,
and it also causes an insulin response similar to that of sugar, meaning it is a bad option
for people at risk of diabeties.
Sucralose is a very common sweetener, and is 700 times sweeter than sugar.
There are no studies investigating its long term health effects with is a major concern
to many.
Sucrolose has also shown an ability to alter the pH of the digestive system, and lower
probiotics.
As these drinks are zero calories, people think they will help with dieting and weight
loss.
However, studies have shown that because of the sweet taste but lack of sugar, we crave
sugary foods, such as chocolate.