This note is in response to a lot of the new artificial sweeteners that are used in a lot of commerical products. This started on another thread and I thought it would be a good stand alone topic.

For persons affected by IBS do artifical sweeteners affect your system as compared to natural sugar? If so what are the symptoms you have noticed?
From a nutritional perspective does a diet containing a significant portion of artificial sweetener generate any other problems., i.e., insulin issues etc?

I believe there are four main sweeteners, Aspertaime (Equal), Splenda, and Sucralose and Septiva (for diabetics) There maybe be more.
But, I understand that 10% of the population has a reaction to Aspertaime and cannot take it. In the IBS population the percentage maybe more.
Does anyone have any information comparing the sweeteners?
I think that moderation is best, but with all of the new sugar free items out, I just wanted to know.

Thanks for indulging me in this question.

In addition to the question above I have noticed on cans that artificial sweenteners may cause abdominal distress. Should those with IBS really watch these artifical sweeteners?

http://allergies.about.com/library/weekly/aa030199.htm

Information to others on aspertame.