Any sweetener derived from plants is preferable to one synthesized from chemicals, but that doesn't mean that these other sweeteners don't have their own health risks as well.
I noticed that in the first article linked above that the author lumps surcose (cane or beet sugar) with high fructose corn syrup and dextrose. In all fairness, since the author was touting the safety of Aspartame, a singular artificial sweetner, he should have separated the three other sweetners out and compared Aspartame to each on it's own merit. But, since high fructose corn syrup carries with it a number of health concerns, it was more useful for the author to lump it in with sucrose for effect.
Simple logic dictates that any substance with potential detrimental effect on the body, should be injested only in moderate quantities. Naturally occurring sugars are much more akin to other naturally occuring substances in food like saturated oils, fat, and cholesterol. While these substances are not toxic to the body in their natural state per se, they never the less cause adverse health reactions when consumed in large quantities and/or improperly combined with certain other foods. Where the naturally occurring sugars and Aspartame differ dramatically is in that there is not an acceptable dosage of unbonded methyl alcohol, formaldahyde, and formic acid as Aspartame becomes when processed by the body. These substances are all toxic to the human body, it's just a matter of how much any individual metabolism can assimilate before adverse effects present.
I do understand and appreciate the link between excessive sugar consumption and the breakdown of the immune system. I also appreciate the link between excessive sugar intake and diabetes, although the increase in type II diabetes cases in the past decade or two is much more closely associated with high intakes of simple carbohydrates than sugar alone. So, I avoid sugar as much as possible as well. I've never been one to binge on sweets, I can take them or leave them for the most part (and most often "leave" them). But in cases where I would like to add some sweetness to something (like my morning coffee), I choose to use Stevia. Stevia is an all natural sweetner extracted from a plant. It has been used in South America for over two hundred years and elsewhere in the world for about a half century til now. It is non-caloric and it has no known health risks at all...none. As a matter of fact, it even has a slight preventative effect on tooth decay.
I'm not going to lie and say that I only injest those foods that are all natural and healthy for me. I'm a far cry from a food Nazi like some of the over the top health crazed types I know. Still, the choice in this case is simple for me. I can use a natural sweetner that has no calories, no adverse health effects, does not promote hunger - or - I can choose a substance that breaks down into embalming fluid, antifreeze, and the stuff that puts the sting in fire ant bites. Oh, and did I mention that it causes heart erythmias (palpatations)? Well, I have first hand experience that it does.
To each his own, though. I believe in free will as well, and if someone want's to drink 10 diet sodas a day, then I'll suport their right to make that choice. Then I'll pray for them....
