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Cyclamate: How Unhealthy Is The Sweetener Really?

Cyclamate promises faster weight loss without giving up: although the sweetener is much sweeter than conventional sugar, it has far fewer calories. But that doesn’t mean the sweetener is automatically healthy. It has been banned in the US for more than fifty years. All info!

The sweetener cyclamate is very popular with people who want to lose weight. It is said to help reduce calories and thereby accelerate weight loss. In addition, sweeteners are considered part of a healthy diet because they replace sugar. But is this the case with cyclamate?

What is cyclamate?

Cyclamate, also known as sodium cyclamate, is a zero-calorie, synthetic sweetener discovered in 1937 at the University of Illinois (USA). Just like other well-known sweeteners such as saccharin, aspartame, or acesulfame, cyclamate contains no calories because, unlike normal sugar, it is not metabolized and is excreted unchanged after ingestion. In the European Union, the sweetener is also known under the designation E 952.

How much sweetening does cyclamate have?

Cyclamate is 35 times sweeter than normal sugar (sucrose), heat-resistant, and is therefore also used in baking and cooking. Despite all this: Compared to all other sugar substitutes, cyclamate has the lowest sweetening power. But it enhances the effect of other sweeteners, which is why it is often found in products in combination – often together with saccharin. Cyclamate’s sweet taste also lasts a lot longer than sucrose.

What is the maximum daily dose of sodium cyclamate?

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends a maximum daily dose of 7 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. Cyclamate must not be used in chewing gum, candy, or ice cream, for example. Why? This ensures that the daily amount is not easily exceeded. According to the law, food can contain a maximum of 250 and 2500 milligrams per liter and kilogram, in spreads and canned fruit the limit is 1000 milligrams.

What foods contain cyclamate?

The synthetic sweetener cyclamate has a long shelf life. Even after long storage, it loses neither taste nor sweetness. Because it is particularly heat-resistant, it is ideal for cooking and baking. In addition to some cosmetic products and medicines, cyclamate is often used in the following foods:

  • Reduced calorie/sugar-free sweets or desserts
  • Low-calorie/sugar-free drinks
  • Low-calorie/sugar-free preserves (e.g. fruit)
  • Low-calorie/sugar-free spreads (e.g. jams, marmalades, jellies)
  • Tabletop sweetener (liquid, powder, or tablet)
  • dietary supplements

Is the sweetener cyclamate unhealthy or even dangerous?

The fact that the use of sodium cyclamate in food is regulated by law shows that the consumption of the sweetener is not entirely harmless. In the USA, cyclamate has even been banned since 1969 because animal experiments have shown an increased risk of bladder cancer and fertility problems. Whether cyclamate has a similar effect on humans has not been confirmed or disproved to date.

But one thing is certain: Sodium cyclamate only becomes harmful to health in larger quantities. The levels set by EFSA are so low that a food sweetened with cyclamate has no side effects. However, it becomes problematic if many products with this sweetener are consumed. Therefore, when shopping, you should always take a look at the list of ingredients.

Cyclamate is not recommended during pregnancy

The same applies to cyclamate during pregnancy as to other artificial sweeteners: Consumed in moderation, it is considered harmless. However, sodium cyclamate, aspartame, and the like are not recommended for pregnant women. The synthetic substances get into the placenta and breast milk and can thus influence the baby’s metabolism.

Several studies provide evidence that sweeteners such as sodium cyclamate can change intestinal flora and increase the risk of obesity and the development of type 2 diabetes in the unborn child. Heavy consumption of cyclamate also puts pregnant women at risk of developing gestational or later diabetes.

Cyclamate makes it difficult to lose weight

Foods fortified with cyclamate do not contain glucose. And yet the body shows the same reaction as when eating normal sugar, because the sweetener docks onto the same taste receptors. The blood sugar level rises and the pancreas releases insulin, which is supposed to transport glucose particles taken from food from the blood into the cells. Researchers suspect that this can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes.

Cyclamate can also affect the success of a diet. Because a high insulin level blocks fat burning, so that losing weight is sometimes not made easier, but rather made more difficult.

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Written by Elizabeth Bailey

As a seasoned recipe developer and nutritionist, I offer creative and healthy recipe development. My recipes and photographs have been published in best selling cookbooks, blogs, and more. I specialize in creating, testing, and editing recipes until they perfectly provide a seamless, user-friendly experience for a variety of skill levels. I draw inspiration from all types of cuisines with a focus on healthy, well-rounded meals, baked goods and snacks. I have experience in all types of diets, with a specialty in restricted diets like paleo, keto, dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan. There is nothing I enjoy more than conceptualizing, preparing, and photographing beautiful, delicious, and healthy food.

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