What are synthetic sugars called?

December 2, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), several high-intensity sweeteners are approved for use as food additives, often going by the names of artificial sweeteners or non-nutritive sweeteners. Knowing what are synthetic sugars called can help consumers make informed dietary choices, especially when looking for low-calorie alternatives to table sugar.

Quick Summary

Synthetic sugars are commonly known as artificial sweeteners or non-nutritive sweeteners. They are chemical compounds that provide a sweet taste with little to no calories. Key types include saccharin, aspartame, sucralose, and acesulfame potassium, which are found in diet products and tabletop packets.

Key Points

Terminology: Synthetic sugars are most commonly referred to as artificial sweeteners or non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS).
Common Types: Popular examples include aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet), sucralose (Splenda), saccharin (Sweet'N Low), and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K).
Caloric Advantage: These sweeteners provide a sweet taste with little to no calories, making them useful for weight management and blood sugar control.
Regulatory Oversight: Regulatory bodies like the FDA have approved synthetic sweeteners for consumption, establishing acceptable daily intake (ADI) levels.
Health Debates: Controversy exists regarding long-term health effects, with some research suggesting potential links to changes in gut health and metabolic syndrome, although conclusions are not definitive.
Moderate Use Recommended: Experts advise moderation for all sweeteners, including synthetic ones, emphasizing that a diet rich in whole, unsweetened foods is the healthiest approach.

Understanding the Terminology: What Are Synthetic Sugars Called?

When people ask, "What are synthetic sugars called?", they are most often referring to artificial sweeteners. These substances are chemically manufactured to provide a sweet taste, often many times sweeter than regular table sugar (sucrose), with a negligible caloric count. Because of their intensity, only a tiny amount is needed to sweeten food and drinks, making them popular for weight management and diabetes control. Another common term for these compounds is non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS), which emphasizes that they provide sweetness without significant nutritional value. Some sweeteners, like certain steviol glycosides derived from plants, are also intensely sweet but are often marketed differently, though they function similarly to synthetic options.

Types of Common Artificial Sweeteners

Synthetic sweeteners vary in their chemical structure and intensity. Some of the most well-known types include:

Aspartame: Composed of two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine. It is about 200 times sweeter than sugar and is often used in chewing gum, diet sodas, and dairy products. Unlike some other sweeteners, it is not heat-stable and loses sweetness when baked.
Sucralose: Derived from sucrose, sucralose is about 600 times sweeter than sugar. It is heat-stable and can be used in baking and a wide range of foods and beverages, from baked goods to frozen desserts.
Saccharin: One of the oldest artificial sweeteners, saccharin is 200 to 700 times sweeter than sugar and contains no calories. It is found in products like diet drinks and tabletop packets. Its use was controversial in the 1970s due to animal studies, but it has since been confirmed safe for human consumption.
Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K): Roughly 200 times sweeter than sugar, Ace-K is heat-stable and often blended with other sweeteners to create a more balanced flavor profile.
Neotame and Advantame: These are newer, high-intensity sweeteners derived from aspartame. Neotame is 7,000–13,000 times sweeter, while advantame is about 20,000 times sweeter, requiring only minute quantities in food production.

Comparing Natural vs. Synthetic Sweeteners

The choice between natural and synthetic sweeteners is a common point of discussion. While synthetic options are chemically manufactured, many "natural" alternatives like stevia and monk fruit still undergo significant processing to be used in food products. The table below offers a simple comparison.


Feature	Synthetic Sweeteners	Natural Sweeteners	Table Sugar (Sucrose)
Caloric Content	Typically zero or low-calorie	Varies; many, like stevia and monk fruit extract, are low to no-calorie.	High in calories.
Source	Chemically synthesized in a lab.	Derived from natural sources like plants or fruits.	Plant-based (sugar cane, sugar beets).
Sweetness Intensity	Often hundreds to thousands of times sweeter than sugar.	Varies; some are many times sweeter than sugar (e.g., stevia).	Standard reference for sweetness.
Blood Sugar Impact	Do not affect blood sugar directly.	Varies; generally lower glycemic index than table sugar.	Causes significant spike in blood sugar.
Dental Health	Do not cause cavities.	Varies; some, like xylitol, are beneficial for dental health.	Promotes tooth decay.

Controversies and Health Implications

Despite extensive testing and regulatory approval by organizations like the FDA, the long-term health effects of synthetic sweeteners remain a subject of ongoing debate. Initial concerns linking saccharin to cancer in rats were later found to be irrelevant to humans, but other controversies persist.

Some research suggests potential links between artificial sweeteners and changes to gut microbiota, which could influence metabolic health. Other observational studies have reported associations with conditions like metabolic syndrome, obesity, and cardiovascular issues, although causality has not been definitively established. Many experts suggest that negative health outcomes observed in some studies may be more related to underlying lifestyle habits rather than the sweeteners themselves. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended against relying on non-sugar sweeteners for weight control, citing potential long-term risks.

What Are Synthetic Sugars Called? The Broader Context

Choosing a sweetener is not just a matter of selecting a sugar substitute, but also understanding one's overall dietary pattern. For those aiming to reduce sugar intake or manage health conditions like diabetes, synthetic sweeteners can be a useful tool. However, the long-term impacts, particularly concerning the gut microbiome and metabolic responses, require further investigation. The best approach, endorsed by many health professionals, is to moderate the intake of all types of sweeteners and prioritize a diet rich in whole foods.

The Future of Sweeteners

As research continues, the landscape of sweeteners is likely to evolve. Companies are developing new compounds, and more detailed studies are exploring the complex interactions between sweeteners, the human body, and the gut microbiome. What remains clear is that the term "synthetic sugars" is a broad category for substances designed to provide a taste of sweetness without the caloric baggage of sugar, but their role in a healthy diet requires careful consideration.

Conclusion

In summary, synthetic sugars are most often called artificial sweeteners or non-nutritive sweeteners. These chemical compounds, including aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin, offer an intense sweet taste with few to no calories, making them attractive for diet products and diabetes management. While regulatory bodies generally consider them safe within acceptable daily intake levels, ongoing research highlights the need for a cautious and balanced approach, especially concerning long-term consumption and its potential effects on metabolic health and the gut microbiome. Ultimately, a balanced diet with minimal reliance on any type of added sweetener is often the healthiest path.

[Authoritative Link]: For detailed safety information from a regulatory perspective, the FDA's page on sweeteners offers comprehensive insights: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/aspartame-and-other-sweeteners-food.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary name for synthetic sugars is artificial sweeteners. They are also often called non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) due to their lack of caloric content.

Yes, for practical purposes, artificial and synthetic sugars refer to the same group of chemically manufactured compounds designed to taste sweet without adding significant calories. They differ from natural sweeteners like stevia, though some natural options also undergo processing.

Most synthetic sugars, such as sucralose and saccharin, have virtually no calories because the body cannot break them down for energy. However, some, like aspartame, contain minimal calories but are used in such small amounts that the caloric impact is negligible.

While regulatory bodies like the FDA generally consider approved synthetic sweeteners safe for healthy individuals within acceptable daily intake levels, certain groups should be cautious. For example, people with phenylketonuria (PKU) must avoid aspartame due to its phenylalanine content.

Synthetic sugars do not typically raise blood sugar levels, making them a popular alternative for individuals with diabetes. However, some research suggests they may indirectly affect blood sugar and insulin sensitivity, highlighting the need for further studies.

After extensive research, major health organizations, including the National Cancer Institute, have found no conclusive evidence that approved synthetic sweeteners cause cancer in humans. Early animal studies suggesting a link were deemed irrelevant to human metabolism.

No, not all sugar substitutes are synthetic. There are also natural alternatives derived from plants or fruits, such as high-purity steviol glycosides from the stevia plant and mogrosides from monk fruit. These also provide intense sweetness with few or no calories.