In a world where unicorns fly, we consume unlimited quantities of a sweet substance with absolutely no health detriments. Alas, we do not live in that world. Everyone knows that inhaling sugar on a daily basis is bad for your health. Alternative sweeteners are quite popular and have been marketed for decades as the main method of satisfying a sweet tooth without increasing your caloric intake, blood sugars, and weight. But is this actually true? Dive with me deeper into the world of artificial sweeteners and find out if your spoonful of “sugar” is doing more harm than good.
 
The degree to which issues may manifest from artificial sugar consumption varies from the type of product, quantity being consumed, and the person doing the consuming. The main concerns from researchers and health experts are: 

•  It’s a derivative from genetically modified organisms or foods
•  Carcinogenic
•  Increases insulin levels which ultimately causes or worsens insulin resistance.
•  Impairs thyroid function
•  Potentially a neuro-excitotoxin which can lead to neuron cell death
•  Alters your sugar palate that may require increased stimulus.  
•  Can induce hunger and sugar cravings
•  Alters the microbiome of the gut

There are varying degrees of ugly, so I broke them down into three different categories: artificial sweeteners (worst), sugar alcohols (bad), and “natural” sweeteners (meh).
 
It’s a troublesome list and if you don’t feel like reading, here’s a quick cheat sheet for easy perusing. 

We’ve made it to the final lap of our coffee marathon. If you’re just joining me now, you may want to read the previous blog posts on coffee, titled “Is Coffee Your Friend or Foe?” and “Coffee: How to Get the Most Bang Out of Your Cup”.
 
If you’ve worked this hard to create an amazing beverage, it’s a good idea to add the highest quality goodies that fits your budget. Coffee is best consumed black, but for many, cream and sugar are mandatory additions. Let’s keep it simple by breaking “accoutrements” down into 3 different categories: cream, sugar, and oils.