Can I consume low calorie sweeteners found in diet soda, protein powder, etc.? Are they harmful for my health?

Low calorie sweeteners, such as aspartame, sucralose, stevia, erythritol, and others, are used to provide sweetness without adding significant calories or raising blood sugar levels. This can be beneficial to help maintain calorie goals, while still enjoying sweetened foods. The FDA considers commonly used sweeteners to be safe at approved levels. But do note, some individuals note that some sugar alcohols (like erythritol and xylitol) can cause digestive issues like bloating or gas if consumed in large quantities.


And for a more detailed explanation on the World Health Organization’s most recent changes to categorization of aspartame, please visit this post and this post created by one of our BWS Researchers.