The best pre-workouts for strength and endurance don’t need to have artificial sweeteners.
You can still have a great workout by using some of the best available options.
If you want something with low caffeine, then check out Bulk or Lean by Transparent Labs.
For something very strong, Kaged Elite is a great choice.
But if you want something with a moderate amount of caffeine then Altius by Jacked Factory is a good pick.
These pre-workouts are naturally flavored and don’t have artificial sweeteners so you can feel better about what you’re putting into your health in the long-run.
There are a few common types of artificial sweeteners that are commonly used in powder-based supplements.
If you want to make the most of your health in the long run, then it’s probably best to avoid these:
- Saccharin (Sweet’N Low®, SugarTwin®)
- Acesulfame K (Sunett®, Sweet One®)
- Sucralose (Splenda®)
- Aspartame (NutraSweet®, Equal®)
Saccharin:
Saccharin is known to be Sweet’N Low, which is said to be 300-400 times sweeter than sugar and was first made in 1879 and it was produced on a massive scale during the shortage of sugar in world war 1.
They are commonly used because they have a reputation for being the better option for diabetics and teeth health.
Saccharine is made in a lab by oxidizing o-toluene sulfonmide (or phtalic anhydride).
Although this is generally considered to be a safe artificial sweetener, it was linked to bladder cancer in rats in the 1970s.
Since recent studies are not able to replicate this effect, it’s one of the reasons why many are cutting out this artificial sweetener.
Aspartame:
Aspartame is also known as Sunett, Sweet One, NutraSweet, or Equal.
Being 200 times sweeter than sugar, it was first created in 1965 and was approved by the FDA in 1981.
It’s a low-calorie option and is used in diet drinks.
Aspartame is a synthetic sweetener made of two naturally occurring amino acids, phenylalanine, and aspartic acid.
Although our bodies turn this sweetener into methanol, it’s toxic when in large amounts.
Methanol goes further and breaks down into formaldehyde, which is a toxic carcinogen but it isn’t noticeable as we tend to consume small amounts of aspartame.
But studies on aspartame prove that it is concerning and it should be avoided.
Sucralose
First discovered in 1976, Sucralose is another zero-calorie artificial sweetener that is 200-400 times sweetener than sugar.
It’s made by replacing the hydrogen and oxygen bonds in sugar with chlorine.
Today, it’s consumed as Splenda, which is a mix of sucralose, glucose, and maltodextrin and it’s commonly used in baked goods as well as beverages.
However, there are many concerns with sucralose as it’s linked to many issues concerning health.
It also has side effects on gut bacteria which can affect digestion.
It’s a sweetener to stay away from.
Stevia
Stevia is a tricky one as it’s a natural sweetener but since it’s heavily processed, it can have side effects.
In its plant and natural form, it’s a much better alternative to artificial sweeteners.
But because it’s bonded with sugar alcohols, it can have effects on the digestion system and it can have an impact on health for the long term.
Stevia still has the lowest risk for side effects so if you do go with a sugar-free pre-workout then stevia is still a solid choice.
Artificial sweeteners have a wide range of side effects on health in the short and long term.
Not only can it affect appetite but it can also disturb healthy gut bacteria and can potentially increase the risk for diabetes.
Anything that’s as processed as artificial sweeteners surely won’t have any benefit other than the sweetness it provides.
Although artificial sweeteners like sucralose are approved by the FDA, there are still reasons to avoid using this in pre-workouts as the long-term effects are still being studied and it’s basically a fake sugar.
Mental Effects
There are studies that link aspartame to cognitive issues like headaches, moodiness, learning problems, and even seizures.
It can also inhibit neurotransmitters that make you feel good, like dopamine and serotonin.
Currently, these effects are not being linked to other artificial sweeteners but it’s still a solid reason why to go with a naturally sweetened pre-workout and to avoid the ones using artificial sweeteners
Changes Appetite
Artificial sweeteners have the same effect as sugar when it comes to affecting our food reward pathway.
This means it can increase sugar cravings which can lead to weight gain.
Although this is still being researched, this along with the other possible side effects makes naturally sweetened pre-workouts much more appealing.
Oxidative Stress
Using artificial sweeteners can increase free radicals, leading to elevated oxidative stress.
While this hasn’t been proven for humans, it’s a solid reason to avoid artificial sweeteners.
With more free radicals building up in our bodies, our cells become more likely to be damaged.
This can eventually lead to an increased risk for degenerative and chronic diseases and can increase the body’s rate of aging.
Naturally made sweeteners are a much safer option when it comes to supplements.
There are enough processed sweeteners in drinks to make us more conscious about what we consume even if it’s in a health supplement like a pre-workout.
There are plenty of benefits to natural sweeteners such as:
- Healthier for the brain
- Won’t affect mood or appetite
- Won’t cause weight gain
- Comes from natural sources and isn’t artificially produced
The best pre-workouts for strength and endurance don’t need to have artificial sweeteners.
You can still have a great workout by using some of the best available options.
If you want something with low caffeine, then check out Bulk or Lean by Transparent Labs.
For something very strong, Kaged Elite is a great choice.
But if you want something with a moderate amount of caffeine then Altius by Jacked Factory is a good pick.
These pre-workouts are naturally flavored and don’t have artificial sweeteners so you can feel better about what you’re putting into your health in the long-run.
