Is "diet" all right? Our obsession with sugar-free food can reduce our energy intake, but is there any harm in the alternatives?
Sugar: it can rot our teeth, make us fat, and health authorities the world over are warning us not to eat too much of it. Increasingly, we're turning to alternatives - "diet", "lite" and "sugar-free" food and drink that use artificial sweeteners instead of sugar.
However, some claim that artificial sweeteners are in fact worse for us than sugar - that some sweeteners may cause tumours, and others may cause multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. We investigate the claims.
Highlights of this report
Sweeteners compared
Find out which table-top sweeteners and other common products contain artificial sweeteners Read more
Read what our members have to say close
To save money on essentials and make buying decisions easy, you can't go past Consumer. We're proud to have over 65,000 members all enjoying our independent information online or in Consumer magazine.
Here's what some of them say...
"Just wanted to let you know that I find your site excellent! Easy to find my way around, everything at my fingertips - just a click away.
I only took out a 3 month membership as I wasn't sure but it is actually really easy to use and if I want it on paper I can print the
reports. Thanks again".
Denise Watkinson - Waitakere
"My mother (74) got a renewal letter from her insurance company for her car insurance, wanting $570. After reading
your article on car insurance, I contacted one of the companies you recommended, who quoted her $318 for the same
level of cover. I just wanted to stay thank you very much for your article, as it has saved my mother a substantial amount of money".
Adrian Lane - Kapiti Coast
"I've been a member to the magazine since 1997 and enjoy reading it a lot. I've found lots of helpful information on different issues...
Thank you for being so helpful".
Peter Kovalenko - Porirua
"I have been a member of the Consumer NZ for 20 or more years and have enjoyed much reliable advice.
I turn to their tests before making significant purchases".
Lyndal Print – Auckland
Get full access to this report - Join now!
Buy this report
for$4.95
and enjoy
7 days' access
Enjoy access to
ALL Consumer reports
from just $25
- Over 500 reports, plus interactive tools and calculators
- Independent advice from NZ's trusted source of information
- Join over 65,000 members who help us get all NZers a fairer deal
