Can I use artificial sweeteners if I have diabetes?

Answer From M. Regina Castro, M.D.

Yes, you can use most artificial sweeteners if you have diabetes. Artificial sweeteners replace sugar in food and drinks. They offer the sweetness of sugar without the calories. Artificial sweeteners also are called sugar substitutes, low-calorie sweeteners or nonnutritive sweeteners.

Examples of artificial sweeteners include:

  • Acesulfame potassium (Sunett, Sweet One).
  • Advantame.
  • Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal, Sugar Twin).
  • Luo Han Guo (Nectresse, Monk Fruit in the Raw, PureLo).
  • Neotame (Newtame).
  • Saccharin (Sweet'N Low, Sweet Twin, Necta Sweet).
  • Stevia (Pure Via, Truvia, Enliten).
  • Sucralose (Splenda).

Artificial sweeteners are many times sweeter than sugar. So it takes only a small amount of an artificial sweetener to sweeten foods. That's why foods made with artificial sweeteners often have fewer calories than those made with sugar. Artificial sweeteners don't affect blood sugar. But keep in mind that foods and drinks that contain artificial sweeteners may include other ingredients that could affect blood sugar.

Sugar alcohols are another type of sweetener that have about half the calories of sugar. Some fruits and vegetables have sugar alcohols in them naturally. And lab-made versions are added to some foods. Sugar alcohols are different from other artificial sweeteners because they can raise blood sugar. For some people, they also may cause diarrhea. Examples of sugar alcohols include mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol.

Although you can use artificial sweeteners if you have diabetes, be aware that some research shows eating artificially sweetened foods instead of those sweetened with sugar may not be as helpful as once thought. This may be especially true for people who regularly eat or drink a lot of artificial sweeteners. But further research is needed to learn more.

With

M. Regina Castro, M.D.

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Feb. 18, 2025 See more Expert Answers

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