Omolade Oyewole & Iyanuoluwa Oluwale

Healthcare professionals have warned that intake of artificial sweeteners, also known as sugar substitutes, can lead to abnormal pancreas, risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

The experts, who spoke with The Hope said despite the hygienic side of artificial sweeteners they constitute certain health threat to consumers

A medical expert  at the Union Diagnostic and Clinical Services, Dr  Ademujimi Abayomi Micheal said some observational studies linked artificial sweeteners to an increased risk of   type 2 diabetes, heart disease and metabolic syndrome.

He identified the side effects of artificial sweeteners to include headache, depression, increase in appetite as well as increase in diabetes risk.

“The dangers on health  are  high blood  pressure or diabetes, alzheimers disease, stroke,chronic kidney disease and chronic lung disease.”

Confirming this, a nutritionist, Miss Olamiotan Afolabi said artificial sweeteners were known as sugar substitutes that are being used in place of sugar.

She said: “It is hygienic and at the same time unhygienic based on how frequent it is consumed and the quantity.

“Some doctors advised those with diabetes and obesity to make use of artificial sweeteners as a substitute for sugar because of their low calories.

“However , nutritionally, it is advised to consume with limitation because  too much of it can also increase sugar level.

“It has negative effect on health, it causes weight gain,it could lead to depression and memory loss and can also cause cancer (bladder cancer precisely)”

Also speaking, a food scientist, Adeyemo Mary said some artificial sweeteners could cause obesity and diabetes.

According to her, ”Artificial sweeteners are sugar substances or chemical substances that we add to foods and beverages to make  them have  good taste just like the normal table sugar and other sweeteners.

“It contains high calories and when  consumed in high quantity can cause some damages in the human system like obesity, diabetes, blood sugar  increase.”

“It is not hygienic to the health because when you take small and later get use to it can cause damages to the body system.

“Indications and quantity to be taken daily must be made known to users so as to avoid health problems”.

Another food scientist, Obakuro Rejoice said artificial sweetener  could lead to

stroke, cancer, dementia, cardiovascular diseases, weight gain, depression, anxiety and mood disorder.