Safest Artificial Sweeteners Ranked

Sugar alcohol

Natural protein sweetener from katemfe fruit

From citrus. 1500x sweeter than sugar

Natural sweetener from stevia plant

7000-13000x sweeter than sugar

Blend sweetener

Natural low-calorie sugar. 92% sweetness of sucrose

Hydrogenated starch hydrolysate. Sugar-free confections

Ultra-high-intensity sweetener. 20,000-37,000x sweeter than sugar. Approved EU 2014, US 2014

20,000-37,000x sweeter than sugar. Most potent approved sweetener. FDA approved 2014. EU approved 2014

From agave plant. High fructose content (70-90%). Not classified as additive (food ingredient). Marketed as natural but high fructose

Rare sugar with 70% sweetness but ~0.4 kcal/g. GRAS in US. Not yet approved in EU (under Novel Food review). Does not count as sugar on US labels

Rare sugar, 70% sweetness, ~0.4 kcal/g. Doesn't spike blood sugar. GRAS in US (2014). Not on US nutrition facts as sugar. EU Novel Food review pending. In Quest bars, some ice creams. Naturally in figs, raisins. Browning properties like sugar

From coconut palm sap. Lower glycemic index claims disputed. Not classified as additive. Contains trace minerals. Expensive

Simple sugar (glucose). Not classified as additive but as food ingredient. Used in IV fluids, baking, brewing. Less sweet than sucrose

D-Glucose. Simple sugar. In IV fluids, brewing, baking. Less sweet than sucrose (~75%). In processed meats (Maillard browning). In sports nutrition. Not classified as additive (food ingredient)

From starch hydrolysis. Not classified as additive (food ingredient). Confectionery staple. Different from HFCS (lower fructose)

Sugar alcohol mixture. In sugar-free candy, chewing gum. Lower sweetness than sugar. Laxative effect in excess. Also called polyglycitol syrup. EU E964

Sugar alcohol from beet sugar. Half the calories. Popular for sugar art/cake decorating. Tooth-friendly. Laxative effect

Sugar alcohol from lactose. 40% sweetness. Prebiotic. In sugar-free chocolate, ice cream. EU E966. Also pharmaceutical laxative (Pizensy brand). Low glycemic response

Sugar alcohol from maltose. 90% sweetness of sugar. In sugar-free chocolate, candy. EU E965. Laxative effect. Higher glycemic index than other sugar alcohols. Amazon Haribo gummy bear reviews famous

Sugar alcohol from fructose. In sugar-free products, medical IV fluid (brain pressure reduction). Natural in mushrooms, seaweed. EU E421. Laxative effect. Dusting agent for chewing gum

Natural sweetener from Siraitia grosvenorii. 150-300x sweeter than sugar. GRAS in US since 2010. EU approved as Novel Food

Luo Han Guo from Southern China. 150-300x sweeter (mogrosides). GRAS in US since 2010. EU Novel Food approved. In Lakanto brand. Only grown in China. Expensive. No aftertaste when blended. Ancient Chinese medicine

7000-13000x sweeter than sugar. Does not need to carry PKU warning unlike aspartame. FDA approved 2002

7000-13000x sweeter. Does not need PKU warning (unlike aspartame parent compound). FDA approved 2002. Very low use levels. In baked goods, beverages, chewing gum. Chemically similar to aspartame but more potent

Sugar alcohol from glucose. 60% sweetness. In sugar-free candy, toothpaste, cough syrup. Laxative warning if >50g/day. EU E420. Natural in stone fruits. Used as humectant too

From Stevia rebaudiana (Paraguay native). Japan first to approve (1971). EU approved 2011. High-purity steviol glycosides only. Reb A most common. Clean-label sweetener. In Truvia, Stevia In The Raw

Next-generation stevia sweetener. Closest to sugar taste profile of all steviol glycosides. Produced by bioconversion/fermentation. Less bitter than Reb A. Used by Coca-Cola (Truvia)

Not classified as additive (food ingredient). Reference sweetener. From sugarcane/beet. WHO recommends limiting to <10% calories

Rare natural sugar. 92% sweetness of sucrose but 38% calories. In diet beverages, cereals. Prebiotic. EU E963. GRAS in US. Low glycemic index. From lactose. In Damhert brand

Natural protein from katemfe fruit (West Africa). 2000-3000x sweeter than sugar. Approved EU E957 and GRAS in US. Used as flavor modifier rather than bulk sweetener. Licorice-like aftertaste

Natural disaccharide. 45% sweetness of sucrose. Protects proteins from denaturation. Some research links to C. difficile virulence

Sugar alcohol. Laxative effect in large amounts

Sugar alcohol

Artificial sweetener. 200x sweeter than sugar

Artificial sweetener. IARC classified as 'possibly carcinogenic' (Group 2B) in 2023. EU and FDA maintain it is safe at current levels

Artificial sweetener. BANNED in US since 1969. Legal in EU and 130+ countries

Oldest artificial sweetener. Was briefly banned in US

600x sweeter than sugar. Made from sugar

Dipeptide sweetener. 2000x sweeter than sugar. Approved in Australia, not EU or US

Natural sweetener from licorice root. Not classified as EU additive (used as flavoring). Hypertension concerns

Sugar alcohol. Laxative in excess

Sugar alcohol from lactose

Sugar alcohol. Dental benefits. Toxic to dogs

Sugar alcohol. Zero calorie. Recent cardiovascular concerns being studied

Sunett. 200x sweeter. Discovered 1967 (accident). Often paired with aspartame (masks each other's aftertaste). In Coca-Cola Zero Sugar. EU E950. Some methylene chloride solvent concerns raised

200x sweeter than sugar. Often blended with aspartame. Discovered 1967. Some studies suggest insulin response concerns

200x sweeter than sugar. In Diet Coke, Equal, 6000+ products. IARC Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic, 2023). WHO/JECFA maintained ADI. PKU warning required. Discovered 1965 (accident). Most studied food additive. FDA approved 1981 after controversy

30x sweeter than sugar. Banned in US since 1969 (bladder cancer in rats + cyclamate-to-cyclohexylamine conversion). Legal in EU and 130+ countries. Petition to re-approve in US pending since 1982. Illustrates US-EU regulatory differences

Zero-calorie sugar alcohol. 70% sweetness of sugar. In Truvia, Swerve. 2023 Cleveland Clinic study linked to cardiovascular events — under further research. Naturally in pears, watermelon. Doesn't cause laxation like other sugar alcohols

50x sweeter than sugar. From licorice root. Hypertension risk at high consumption. EU warning required for products with >100mg/kg. In licorice candy, herbal tea. Banned in some countries for pregnant women

Called isoglucose in EU. Quota restrictions lifted in 2017. Dominant sweetener in US. Linked to obesity epidemic but debated whether worse than sugar

HFCS-42 and HFCS-55 most common. Dominant US sweetener since 1980s. EU called isoglucose (quota until 2017). Obesity epidemic link debated — some say no different from sucrose. In soda, bread, ketchup, yogurt

Oldest artificial sweetener (1879). Sweet'N Low. 300-500x sweeter than sugar. Was on cancer warning list 1977-2000. Bladder cancer in rats debunked for humans. EU E954. Bitter metallic aftertaste

600x sweeter than sugar. Splenda brand. Made from sugar (chlorinated). Heat-stable for baking. EU E955. FDA approved 1998. Some studies suggest gut microbiome effects. No calories absorbed. 2023 study raised DNA damage concerns at high doses

Sugar alcohol from birch bark/corn cobs. Dental benefits (prevents cavities). EU E967. TOXIC TO DOGS (liver failure). In chewing gum, toothpaste. 2024 Cleveland Clinic study raised blood clotting concerns

Sometimes listed separately. See E960

Natural protein sweetener from West African oubli fruit. 500-2000x sweeter than sugar. Under development. Not yet approved in EU or US. Cweet brand developing it. Heat-stable

30x sweeter than sugar. Banned in US since 1969 but legal in EU and 130+ countries. Illustrates US-EU regulatory differences