Q My friend tried to get me to use stevia as a sweetener instead of the Splenda I am using. She says Splenda isn't safe for me. What do you think? — R.Y., Farmville

A I am a bit perplexed by the number of people who think stevia is safer than the other sweeteners on the market today. Stevia has not been approved as a food ingredient in the United States. The makers of the product have not submitted the appropriate research studies to the FDA, so it can only be marketed as a dietary supplement in our country.

We know very little about stevia's safety profile. On the other hand, we know lots about other approved sweeteners. Marie Rowe, a third year medical student, explored the controversies about Splenda. She titled her article "Splenda: how sinless, safe and sound." Here is what Marie found.

Artificial sweeteners have tantalized our taste buds since saccharin was first discovered in 1879. Today, the Food and Drug Administration gives its seal of approval to five artificial sweeteners: Saccharin (Sweet'N Low, Sweet Twin, Necta Sweet), Aspartame (Nutrasweet, Equal), Neotame, Acesulfame-K (Sunett, Sweet One) and sucralose (Splenda, also packaged under many store brands).

The introduction of each new sweetener has raised controversy over its safety, the risk of nutritional consequence, weight and appetite control, systemic illness and cancer.

Splenda, is the newest among the sweeteners to be controversial. Splenda has been under scrutiny since it received FDA approval in 1998. If you search the Internet using the keyword "Splenda," you will be bombarded with information that condemns its use, claiming it is toxic to the body and environment. These claims run rampant despite the 100-plus scientific studies and clinical trials spanning 20 years supporting its safety for human consumption in reasonable amounts.

What is Splenda exactly? It is a calorie-free artificial sweetener that is 600 times sweeter than sugar or sucrose. You may remember the advertising slogan, "Made from sugar so it tastes like sugar."

How is Splenda made from sugar, but not really a sugar? The manufacturer starts with natural cane sugar or sucrose, and through a five-step chemical process substitutes chlorine at the molecular level to make the product sucralose. So, by definition, sucralose is not a sugar. It is, however, a very stable product that the body does not recognize and therefore doesn't contribute calories. Splenda is eliminated from the body without harm to one's health.

Should you worry about the presence of chlorine? We are in contact with chlorine every day. It is present in our water system, swimming pools, table salt and even various foods like potatoes, mushrooms and peas. The use of chlorine in Splenda gives it stability.

Apart from concerns of safety, some believe Splenda is an unhealthy alternative to sugar, and not an answer to growing epidemics of diabetes, obesity and poor dental health. In fact, the American Diabetes Association suggests that artificial sweeteners are acceptable alternatives to sugar. Studies demonstrate that sucralose has no effect on glucose or insulin levels and is no risk to those with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes.

As for obesity, it is a safe, calorie-free alternative in a balanced weight-loss regimen. Behavioral caution has been raised because artificial sweeteners are much sweeter than regular sugar and it may cause us to favor more intense sweets.

Each individual should assess how their total calorie intake is affected if they choose to use Splenda or any other sweetener.

Splenda may be a benefit in dental health since studies have shown that sucralose does not cause cavities like sugar. Why? The bacteria in your mouth are not able to use it for energy and therefore unable to persist in cavity formation.

So, I believe that Splenda is safe and will use it. If a person is concerned about the safety of any approved food ingredient, there are plenty of other options available. One can always eat fewer sweetened foods.

After more than two decades of studies and scrutiny, the scientific and clinical data affirm Splenda's safety and use in all populations, including children, women who are pregnant or breast-feeding and people with diabetes.

If you are using artificial sweeteners or considering its use, you might want to ask your family doctor which one best suits you and your overall health.

Professor Kathy Kolasa, a registered dietitian and Ph.D., works with the Family Medicine Center, Brody School of Medicine at ECU. Contact her at kolasaka@ecu.edu, or C/O The Daily Reflector, P.O. Box 1967, Greenville, NC 27835.