There are many different types of artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes available. They spike in popularity along with trends toward cutting sugar and cutting carbohydrates from the diet. Three of the most popular artificial sweeteners are saccharin, aspartame, and sucralose, in the order they were introduced to the public.

You may recognize these artificial sweeteners better by the brand names they are sold under. Saccharin is the little pink packet of Sweet N Low you see in many restaurants and coffee shops. Beside it, you’ll often find the blue packet of aspartame called Equal, and Nutrasweet is another popular brand of aspartame. The little yellow packet is Splenda, which is the name brand for sucralose. With so many different choices in artificial sweeteners, patrons may have difficulty finding a packet of plain old sugar.

So, which of these artificial sweeteners is the best? That depends on what you plan to use them for. Most people prefer the taste of aspartame or sucralose over saccharin for typical use. Many find that saccharin has a somewhat bitter aftertaste, although it is generally the least costly of the three. Aspartame based artificial sweeteners are second most expensive, and sucralose, the newest, is also the highest priced.

When it comes to baking and cooking, Sweet N Low and Splenda get top billing. Equal and Nutrasweet are not as stable when heated to high temperatures and can lose their sweet flavor. They should only be used to sweeten baked goods by adding after cooking. Many people prefer the taste and texture of baked goods when artificial sweeteners can be baked in. Sweet N Low is currently the only brand that offers a brown sugar substitute. Even so, the majority of people seem to prefer the taste of Splenda, and it measures spoonful to spoonful with sugar, so there is no conversion necessary.

When it comes to health, each of these artificial sweeteners is said to have certain side effects. Of the three, Splenda has had the least study since it is the newest. Some question what its long term side effects may be. While many people use each of these products safely, there is always some concern when it comes to artificial sweeteners and other artificial replacements for foods.