Artificial sweeteners, also known as sugar substitutes, include saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, and sucralose. Most artificial sweeteners do not have a significant impact on diabetes and can be used safely.
Artificial sweeteners are many times sweeter than sugar, so only a small amount is needed to achieve the desired sweetness. This is one reason why the calories in artificial sweeteners can be considered negligible. In fact, most artificial sweeteners are considered "free foods" because they contain little to no sugar, carbohydrates, fat, or other caloric components.
However, you should not confuse sugar alcohols with artificial sweeteners. Common sugar alcohols include mannitol, sorbitol, and xylitol. These substances appear to be a fusion of alcohols and sugars, but scientifically, they are neither alcohols nor sugars. Since many food companies add these substances to "sugar-free" products like cookies, chewing gum, hard candies, and chocolates, diabetics need to be cautious when reading nutrition labels. Although sugar alcohols have fewer calories than regular sugars, they can still slightly raise blood sugar levels. Additionally, for some people, consuming sugar alcohols can cause diarrhea.