Is Sweet’N Low (Saccharin) Good or Bad for You?

Whether you have diabetes, you’re on a weight loss journey, or you’re just trying to make healthier dietary choices, sugar is often one of the first things to get the boot. Many who want to limit or cut sugar out of their diet turn to artificial sweeteners like saccharin — the main ingredient in products like Sweet’N Low — as an alternative.

One reason some turn to artificial sweeteners: “They are low or no-calorie but allow foods to taste sweet without the sugar or calories,” says Julia Zumpano, RD, a registered dietitian at Cleveland Clinic’s Digestive Disease and Surgery Institute in Ohio. “They have been shown to not impact blood sugars the way that sugar does, too.”

But many studies of the health effects of saccharin have had conflicting findings, and researchers are divided on whether it’s beneficial or potentially problematic for health.

Here’s what you need to know about this artificial sweetener, what research has shown about its safety and health effects, and whether you should try it or avoid it.

What Is Saccharin?

It’s made in laboratories by oxidizing chemicals to create a white, crystalline powder, and it has a long shelf life, says Zumpano, who does not endorse any particular saccharin product.

Nowadays, you can find saccharin in carbonated diet drinks, low-calorie juices, candies, jams and spreads, cookies, and other processed foods. It’s also found in some medicines and toothpastes, says Gambino, who does not endorse any particular saccharin product.

What Are the Potential Health Effects of Saccharin?

Saccharin and Dental Health

Because saccharin is sugar-free, it can lower your risk of tooth decay and cavities compared to regular sugar. Humans can’t break down saccharin, so it leaves your body unchanged. “Dentists love saccharin,” says Gambino. “Saccharin is in toothpaste. The studies are pretty clear that using non-nutritive sweeteners instead of sugar can benefit [our teeth].”

Saccharin and Weight Loss

Saccharin and Diabetes

But their effect on diabetes risk among people without the condition is still debated.

Saccharin and Gut Health

The gut microbiome is the home to all the microorganisms living in the digestive system which play a key role in many of the body’s functions, including digestion, the immune system, and mental health.

Should You Consume Saccharin?

The benefits and drawbacks of saccharin are still hotly debated among scientists. While saccharin is a sugar-free alternative that may help prevent tooth decay and cavities compared with regular sugar, the research community is divided on whether they’re beneficial or problematic for human health.

So, should you consume saccharin? The answer likely varies from person to person, says Gambino. For instance, if you’re trying to reduce sugar in your diet, you may turn to saccharin in the interim as an alternative. “Maybe you start with saccharin instead of sugary drinks and then you move into flavoring water with lemon or fruits,” Gambino says.

She recommends only consuming saccharin as a short-term transitional ingredient in moderation as you adjust from eating less sugary and processed foods to a diet that’s rich in whole foods like fruits and vegetables instead.

Zumpano recommends consuming artificial sweeteners as little as possible or avoiding them altogether. “In the end, saccharin is artificial. I suggest limiting or avoiding the use of anything artificial, including sweeteners. They are not good for you,” Zumpano says. Instead, she recommends pure stevia — an herbal sweetener that has a reputation as more natural than artificial sweeteners like saccharin.

If you’re unsure whether saccharin belongs in your diet, talk to your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to help you strike the right balance, says Gambino.

The Takeaway

Saccharin, the artificial sweetener in products like Sweet’N Low, offers a sugar-free alternative that can help reduce the risk of cavities, but its impact on other health areas like weight management is still debated. Despite being a common sugar substitute, some research suggests potential downsides, such as disrupted gut health. If you're considering saccharin, try to use it in moderation and consult with a healthcare provider to strike a healthy dietary balance.