Should You Avoid Artificial Sweeteners During Pregnancy?

If you’re pregnant, you may be wondering if you should be using artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners are in many foods and drinks, and about 30% of pregnant women use them. But are they safe to use while pregnant?

The answer to this question isn’t as straightforward as you may think. Some organizations, like the FDA and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, consider them safe to use during pregnancy. Other health professionals recommend avoiding them completely.

Here, we’ll take a closer look at the issue, and review what the research shows and what health professionals recommend.

Are artificial sweeteners safe during pregnancy?

In short, the results are mixed. While the FDA has approved artificial sweeteners in general, some experts advise against consuming them during pregnancy. A lot of it depends on the type of artificial sweetener discussed, of which there are currently six. 

Which artificial sweeteners can you use during pregnancy? 

The FDA has approved these sweeteners and considers them safe for the public, including for pregnant people. Keep in mind, though, that there is still some debate by health professionals on whether some — or any — of these should be used during pregnancy.

These sweeteners include:

• Aspartame

• Acesulfame-potassium

• Sucralose

• Neotame

• Advantame

• Saccharin

Stevia and monk fruit extracts come from naturally occurring plants and fruits. They are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA to use during pregnancy.

If you do use artificial sweeteners during pregnancy, it’s important to stay below the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for each. For example, this is less than 24 packets of sucralose (Splenda) per day.

Which artificial sweeteners should you avoid while pregnant? 

If you’re pregnant, however, here are a few situations when you may want to avoid certain sweeteners:

• Aspartame: Avoid aspartame if you have an inherited disorder called phenylketonuria (PKU). This means you can’t break down a substance called phenylalanine, which is in aspartame.

• Saccharin: Saccharin can cross the placenta during pregnancy. We don’t know if this causes any health problems for the baby. But, some medical professionals recommend avoiding it during pregnancy.

What are the risks of using artificial sweeteners during pregnancy? 

So far, there are no definite risks associated with using artificial sweeteners during pregnancy. But, some recent studies have found possible risks associated with using them.

Some risks include:

• Preterm delivery

• Increased birth weight of the baby

But, it’s important to understand that other studies haven’t found the same level of risk. This means we still don’t have a clear answer, and more studies need to be done looking at this question.

Do artificial sweeteners cause birth defects? 

There have been some concerns that certain sweeteners — like aspartame and saccharin — can cause birth defects. So far, studies haven’t shown that artificial sweeteners cause birth defects.

Why are some artificial sweeteners bad for you?

Many studies have looked at whether artificial sweeteners cause health problems. But scientists remain divided on the safety of sweeteners. Some studies have linked artificial sweeteners to various health problems.

These problems can include:

• Increased weight gain and appetite

• Lowered insulin sensitivity

• Change in the gut microbiome

• Greater risk for stroke and dementia

• Metabolic syndrome

In the past, there was also a concern that artificial sweeteners cause cancer because some caused bladder cancer in lab animals. Since then, many studies have been done. Still, there is no proof that these sweeteners can cause cancer in people.

What are the healthiest alternatives to artificial sweeteners?

If you’re looking for healthier alternatives to artificial sweeteners, you have several options.

Here are some common natural sweeteners you can use:

• Dates

• Honey

• Maple syrup

• Coconut sugar

• Molasses

• Agave nectar

Keep in mind that even though these sweeteners are natural, they still have sugar. So, it’s important to use them sparingly and not eat more than the recommended amount of added sugar. The CDC recommends no more than 12 tsp and the American Heart Association recommends no more than 6 tsp for women.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

Edited by:

Kelsey Abkin

Kelsey Abkin has been working as a journalist since 2016. She has held many titles throughout her career, including editor, content strategist, digital strategist, and writer.

Reviewed by:

Adriena Beatty D.O., MBA, CPE

Adriena Beatty, DO, MBA, CPE, is an Army veteran and board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist with over 20 years of experience. She is a graduate from Tuskegee University with a degree in chemical engineering and chemistry.

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