代糖真的更健康吗？（原声版）

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Over the past decade, more consumers have been buying products made with artificial sweeteners instead of sugar, according to a new study, published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.


It signals health-consciousness, since too much sugar is linked to a whole host of medical issues. However, while artificial sweeteners can be a good thing for people with diabetes, experts worry there's a misconception that sweeteners are much healthier than sugar. 


Stevia, a zero-calorie sweetener derived from a South American plant, is likely becoming more popular as Americans prioritize foods perceived as more natural. 


Bonnie Taub-Dix, registered dietitian nutritionist, author of Read It Before You Eat It — Taking You from Label to Table, said that while stevia is perfectly fine to use, it's a misconception to think of it as a whole, natural plant food. 


"Stevia seems as if it's all natural, but the reality is it's a white powder," she said. "Unless you're cutting up the leaf and putting it in your dessert, it still is processed."


In some research, artificial sweeteners have been shown to increase cravings and hunger, potentially defeating the purpose of using them to cut calories. 


There is also some research to suggest saccharine, a less common artificial sweetener, is linked to cancer in rats and mice. Some studies have also linked aspartame, the most common form of artificial sweetener, to health risks. 


Replacing sugar with calorie-free substitutes benefits certain people, particularly people trying to lose weight, but only in small amounts.