What are some of the negative or harmful side effects (or potential
negative side effects) of artificial sweeteners, specifically
Saccharin (aka Sweet n? Low), Aspartame (besides the issue with
phenylketonuria, aka NutraSweet, Equal), Acesulfame Potassium (aka
Sunett), and Sucralose (aka Splenda), based on scientific
sources/studies/information?

Here is that question already, which also leads to someone else who
asked the question. Hope that helps!
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=384450

Sorry, I meant just for aspartame/nutrasweet. I'll find some
references for the other ones too.

Info345 --

A recently-completed Purdue University study notes that artificial
sweeteners interfere with the body's natural ability to regulate
calorie consumption:
Science Daily
"Artificial Sweetener May Disrupt Body's Ability To Count Calories,
According To New Study," (June 30, 2004)
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2004/06/040630081825.htm

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

There are always wackos out there who claim that everything in our
food is dangerous, etc. Here are reports from reputable sources (esp.
pubmed). Hope this helps.

Saccharin at very high doses has been linked to bladder cancer.
However, at normal doses which the average person uses per day, any
such link is very tenuous. Other than that, it is safe.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11955678
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=8359315
Saccharin does not directly cause cancer (by interfering with DNA):
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=589703
Oh, since it is often found in the form of sodium saccharin, taking
too much of this would be bad for people with high blood pressure.
Also, saccharin is a sulfonamide, and should not be taken with other
sulfonamide medications.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=14915213

Acesulfame has not been shown to be carcinogenic, even when used with
other sweeteners:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=10685017
http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/549acesulfame.html
Like saccharin, it contains a sulfonamide, and should probably not be
taken with other sulfonamide medications, even though there have been
no links with cross-allergies.
http://ific.org/publications/brochures/acekbroch.cfm

Sucralose:
Safe for diabetics: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=14647086
Safe to eat in repeated doses:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=10882825
The following article is lengthy, and describes that there was no
carcinogenic effect on any organs, no effect on thymus development or
on the immune system (as had previously been suggested), it's not
dangerous to pregnant women or the fetus, no adverse effect on
diabetics, etc. The last two paragraphs of the report are a good
summary.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/scf/out68_en.pdf