Artificial Sweeteners

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After reviewing the articles that each member in our group chose, we decided to focus on an article, “Artificial Sweeteners and other Sugar Substitutes”, written by the Mayo Clinic. In addition, my group supplemented the article’s information with a research study from The International Journal of Clinical Practice. Proving its credibility as a source of information, the Mayo Clinic weighed the pros and cons of artificial sweeteners. One benefit of consuming artificial sweeteners is that there is no caloric intake involved, even though artificial sweeteners are much sweeter than regular sugar. However, the article mentions that there was a research study in the 1970s that suggested saccharin, ingredient in Sweet n’Low, caused bladder cancer …show more content…
My original opinion aligned with the first study done in the ‘70s, because I find that artificial sweeteners give me headaches. However, I have changed my opinion on this topic based on the research that my group found. It seems as though the consumption of artificial sweeteners is safe in limited quantities. Therefore, I do believe the claims made by the Mayo Clinic, the FDA, and the National Cancer institute, but I think they are omitting details about the excessive use of artificial sweeteners. In addition, I believe that the Mayo Clinic should have provided more information about the acceptable daily intake levels and how they are computed. The structure of the Mayo Article was slightly confusing, because it lauded the safety of artificial sweeteners and then suggested that there should be a limit to such a product. The author contradicts himself, which suggests that I, as a reader, should be skeptical of the claims that he makes. In general, I am skeptical of anything the FDA says, because they have be challenged many times in the past. Granted this is not always their fault, as research is bound to change with advancements in science