Once Again, Artificial Sweeteners Are Bad For You

In an article today in the New York Times, Duke University finds new ammunition against Splenda as to why it is harmful for human consumption. According to the article, studies have shown that the popular brand "contributes to obesity, destroys 'good' intestinal bacteria and prevents prescription drugs from being absorbed."

This isn't the first time that concerns have been raised (remember the cancer scare of Sweet 'n Low?) about artificial sweeteners. The ironic thing is that Duke University was funded by the Sugar Association, a lobbyist group in favor of the Sugar Industry. A lot of skeptics are weary of the validity in the study done by Duke University, even though the study did indeed show Splenda to be harmful once consumed.

So will this artificial sweetener scare blow over just like the Saccharin carcinogen scare in the 80s and 90s? More studies obviously need to be done (and possibly from some outside, uninvolved groups). Check out this article from CNN in 1998 in which the executive committee of the National Toxicology Program voted to remove Saccharin from the possible carcinogen list sighting a weak link betweent he sweetener and cancer. Possible link? History repeating itself? Or will the FDA step in and take this harmful product off the market?