{"id":1210,"date":"2025-11-16T19:14:26","date_gmt":"2025-11-16T19:14:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lowcaly-new.local\/article\/myths-about-sweeteners-what-does-the-research-really-say\/"},"modified":"2025-11-24T09:52:29","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T09:52:29","slug":"myths-about-sweeteners-what-does-the-research-really-say","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.lowcaly.com\/en\/articles\/myths-about-sweeteners-what-does-the-research-really-say\/","title":{"rendered":"Myths about sweeteners: What does the research really say?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Myths about sweeteners: What does the research really say?<\/h1><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Article \/\/ 16 Nov 2025<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
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Aspartame, saccharin and other non-caloric sweeteners have faced criticism over the years. But what does the science actually say? We asked Ingrid Larsson, clinical nutritionist at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, to sort out some of the most common myths. <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Text: Ingrid Larsson \/ Photo: Shuttertsock<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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We\u2019re born to like sweet things<\/h2>

Completely cutting out sugar is easier said than done.
\u201cGood luck,\u201d says Ingrid. \u201cFrom birth, we prefer sweet tastes. Tests on infants show that their mouths open to sweet flavours, but close to salty or bitter ones. Breast milk is naturally sweet and signals both comfort and energy.\u201d <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Sweetness and the brain\u2019s reward system<\/strong><\/h2>

Sweet taste is stored in the brain\u2019s \u201cmemory bank\u201d and influences our food choices. We often seek foods and drinks that give us pleasure \u2013 sometimes as comfort, sometimes to relax.
And when we crave something sweet, it\u2019s rarely sugar cubes we long for. It\u2019s the combination of sugar and fat, like in chocolate, ice cream or pastries. <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Why the myths arise<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>

Many people are skeptical of sweeteners.
\u201cMuch of what we worry about is based on our own theories,\u201d says Ingrid. \u201cSocial media makes rumours spread quickly and they can easily be perceived as facts.\u201d <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Fact box: How are sweeteners approved?<\/h2>

All sweeteners used in Sweden and the rest of Europe have been approved by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and are classified as safe. Approval is based on aspects such as: <\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n