But the lure of sweetness is just too hard to resist, so sugar-free foods such as sugar-free colas, sugar-free ice cream and sugar-free cookies have begun to take off. However, there have been studies pointing out that the sugar substitutes in them - sweeteners - may be harmful to health. Which sweeteners are safer? Which ones should you try to avoid? -- let me answer them all for you below.

1. Saccharin: Safety rating ★★★.

Saccharin cannot be utilized in the body, and most of it is excreted by the kidneys without impairing kidney function. However, whether saccharin is related to bladder cancer has not been conclusively determined globally, so it should be consumed with caution, especially in infants and young children, before it is proven.

2. Sweetener: safety rating ★★★.

It is banned in the United States, the United Kingdom and some other countries. Although it is not considered carcinogenic by the World Health Organization and has been declared non-carcinogenic by the U.S. FDA, the U.S. National Science Board and the National Academy of Sciences still consider it to have cancer-promoting and possibly carcinogenic effects.

3. Aspartame: safety level ★★★★★.

Aspartame has no effect on blood sugar levels and does not cause dental caries. However, because aspartame contains phenylalanine, it cannot be used for patients with phenylketonuria.4.

Xylitol: safety level ★★★★.

Xylitol does not cause elevated blood glucose levels, does not produce acid, and has anti-caries effects. It is found in natural foods and is basically harmless to the human body.

Sugar alcohols in large quantities when consumed generally have diarrhea, and some have bloating, gas production, the United States and other countries in the addition of food labels to indicate that excess can lead to diarrhea words.

5. Stevioside: safety level ★★★★★.

It is extracted from the leaves of stevia, and its sweetness is about 300 times that of sucrose. It has been subjected to more toxicity experiments abroad, and none of them showed toxic effects.

6. Licorice: safety level ★★★★★.

Glycyrrhiza glabra is not only one of the most commonly used medicines in China, but also a traditional spice in folklore. As a natural sweetener, its sweetness is about 200 times that of sucrose, safe for consumption, and our country allows it to be used according to production needs without restriction. Chinese Nutrition Society director of Shandong University Institute of Nutrition and Food Hygiene Professor Lin Xinying.