Connect with others who understand.

Sign up Log in
Resources
About DiabetesTeam
Powered By
Real members of DiabetesTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Aspartame

A DiabetesTeam Member asked a question 💭
Bristol, UK

Been informed that artificial sweetener called aspartame put in foods and sodas and food stiill make the body react the same as if full sugar ....meaning diet, full sugar sodas are as bad as aspartame sodas ......truth not guesses please ?

August 2, 2020
View reactions
A DiabetesTeam Member

Not true for "everyone or even most".

There are a bunch of artificial sweeteners (chemical concoctions) and "sugar alcohols" (which are neither sugar nor alcohol - come primarily from "natural sugars" in fruits and veggies) that are used to sweeten "sugar free or no sugar added" products. You really have to read labels because “no sugar added" doesn’t mean there is no sugar or no sugar effect for Diabetics.

There has been much debate about their safety and effect on blood sugar.

All the ones currently on the market/used in consumer products have been deemed either Safe or GRAS (generally regarded as safe) by the FDA (and the European version of the FDA) up to a certain (tested) quantity (which is something like the equivalent of what you would consume in 3 dozen cans of soda a day).

The artificial sweeteners (aspartame, sucralose etc) generally do not cause a sugar spike in "most" diabetics because they don't actually contain "any form of sugar" in them to cause a spike.

The sugar alcohols (erythritol/xylitol etc) "may" cause a sugar spike because they are derived from natural sugar sources (other than cane sugars), so while they do have some form of natural sugar in them, different ones are either not absorbed or are absorbed at a very slow rate - others are almost as potent as cane sugar.

The sugar alcohols may have a "glycemic index" which indicates how they would effect your blood sugar compared to "real sugar".

As an example Erythritol has a GI of zero (no effect) while Maltitol is only has about a 30% “less effect” on your blood sugar compared to real sugar. So while Erythritol is “diabetic safe”, Maltitol is great for prevent rotten teeth but not Diabetes friendly as a substitute.

So the answer is "artificial sweeteners" contain "nothing" that "should" spike your sugar. Sugar Alcohols do contain something that could minimally raise, spike, or not raise your blood sugar at all. If your body reacts "negatively" to something in the artificial sweetener your blood sugar could rise due to your "reaction to the product" and not the product itself (subtle difference, but important).

If in doubt do a stick test before and two hours post consuming the product to see how it effects "you". Aspartame, Sucralose, Erythritol and Xylitol don't even cause a "blip" on my meter. Maltitol blows my numbers through the roof - may as well have drank a double sugar drink - you have to test to know....

August 2, 2020
A DiabetesTeam Member

I use stevia and splenda for my homemade iced tea or lemonade and hubby coffee.

August 9, 2020
A DiabetesTeam Member

Yea I heard same thing. Besides, I don’t touch any of them, leave a nasty after taste, they’re too sickly sweeet too

August 4, 2020
A DiabetesTeam Member

Very true!!! Actually, fake sugar is worse than real sugar. just google side affects of fake sugars. There are many.

August 10, 2020
A DiabetesTeam Member

I really dislike that fake sugar, for me it has a disgustingly sickly sweet taste!!
Yes regular soda is bad for you, but when there’s nothing else and I’m having a low blood sugar I would drink it....

August 10, 2020

Related content

View All

What Are Some Blood Sugar Friendly Sweetener Options?

A DiabetesTeam Member asked a question 💭
Inverary, ON

Is Aspartame Used As A Sweetener For Diabetic 2 Patients Safe?

A DiabetesTeam Member asked a question 💭
Cape Town, ZA

What Is Everyone Go To For Sugar Supplements?

A DiabetesTeam Member asked a question 💭
Havana, IL
Continue with Facebook
Continue with Google
By joining, you accept our Terms of Use, and acknowledge our collection, sharing, and use of your data in accordance with our Health Data Policy and Privacy policies.Your privacy is our priority Lock Icon
Already a Member? Log in