Artificial Sweeteners

People wanting to eat less sugar may use artificial sweeteners as a substitute. They can be found in diet food and drinks and are also available to be added to food and drinks before serving. 

Artificial sweeteners are used to replace sugar. They make foods and drinks taste sweet without providing any energy (kilojoules). There are a variety of artificial sweeteners on the market, all are many times sweeter than sugar and so only very small quantities need to be used. Artificial sweeteners can be added to food or drinks before serving or may be incorporated into diet products by food manufacturers. Some people with diabetes or those trying to lose weight may choose to use artificial sweeteners instead of sugar, however a small amount of added sugar can be included in a healthy diet.

There has been some concern in recent times regarding the safety of artificial sweeteners. The research that raised concerns about their safety was carried out on animals, not humans and the dosages of artificial sweeteners that were used were many times greater than it would be possible to eat or drink.

Some artificial sweeteners are based on carbohydrate derivatives (eg. sorbitol, mannitol) that the body handles differently to sugar. Although having less risk for dental health, these compounds still provide energy (kilojoules) and excessive amounts may cause digestive upset.

The Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) have reviewed the evidence regarding the safety of artificial sweeteners available in Australia and have decided that they are safe.


For further information on using artificial sweeteners as part of a healthy, balanced diet, contact an Accredited Practising Dietitian.