1. Artificial Sweeteners
These aren’t much better than sugar, though. In many cases, they are worse. Despite having fewer calories than sugar, artificial sweeteners like aspartame, neotame, acesulfame potassium, etc. can still raise your risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome. Many sugar-free gums include aspartame, which is regarded as the most harmful drug in the world, which you may not have realized. There are many healthful sugar substitutes, including honey, maple syrup, and agave syrup.
