> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.foodconsumer.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # To the editor: Dr. Mercola’s recent comments on sweeteners have been unbalanced and not helpful to readers - URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/dr_mercola_s_recent_comments_on_sweeteners_have_been_unbalanced_/ - Published: 2011-06-10T17:54:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-22T15:50:38.000Z - Description: A letter to the editor from registered dietitian Rima Kleiner, a consultant to the food and beverage industry including The Coca-Cola Company, arguing that Dr. Mercola's comments on sweeteners are unbalanced and citing research that low-calorie sweeteners can aid weight management. - Author: Food Consumer - Tags: Letter to Editor, Opinion, #vivvo-import Message: To the Editor: Dr. Mercola’s recent comments on sweeteners have been unbalanced and not helpful to readers. As a registered dietitian, I make sure to keep myself up-to-date on the research behind these topics and have found that studies show that artificial sweeteners do not cause weight gain. Specifically, a study published last year in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that foods and beverages containing low-calorie sweeteners may help people manage weight, and that people who consume reduced-calorie products have an overall healthier diet. Furthermore, because these ingredients provide sweetness without many (or any) calories, these sweeteners may help individuals better adhere to a weight loss eating pattern. Even the American Dietetic Association posits that low and no-calorie sweeteners can increase the “palatability of nutrient-dense foods” and “may promote diet healthfulness.” I counsel my clients that all foods can fit into a healthy diet. The key to enjoying all foods, however, is moderation. Singling out specific ingredients or foods does not help Americans adopt healthy lifestyles – teaching clients how to enjoy foods and beverages that can help with weight loss does. Thank you. Rima Kleiner, MS, RD Consultant to the food and beverage industry including The Coca-Cola Company \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* Dr. Mercola's recent comments include the following: ### [foodconsumer.org - One More Reason to Ban Artificial *Sweeteners* **...**](https://www.foodconsumer.org/one%5Fmore%5Freason%5Fto%5Fban%5Fartificial%5Fsweeteners%5Ffrom%5Fyour%5Fdiet%5F1711/) One More Reason to Ban Artificial *Sweeteners* from Your Diet. 11/17/2009 05:15:00 admin. Posted *by: Dr*. *Mercola* November 17 2009\. diet soda **...** www.foodconsumer.org/.../one\_more\_reason\_to\_ban\_artificial\_**sweeteners**\_from\_your\_diet\_1711.html - ### [foodconsumer.org - New Report Shows How You Get Addicted to Diet Soda](https://www.foodconsumer.org/new%5Freport%5Fshows%5Fhow%5Fyou%5Fget%5Faddicted%5Fto%5Fdiet%5Fsoda%5F0315111115/) Mar 16, 2011 **...** Posted *By Dr*. *Mercola* | March 16 2011 **...** And research also suggests that the artificial *sweeteners* in diet soda may prompt people to drink **...** www.foodconsumer.org/.../new\_report\_shows\_how\_you\_get\_addicted\_to\_diet\_soda\_0315111115.html - ### [foodconsumer.org - Why This Toxic *Sweetener* is FAR Worse than High **...**](https://www.foodconsumer.org/aspartame%5F1509010359/) Sep 15, 2010 **...** Posted *By Dr*. *Mercola* | September 15 2010 **...** It's been nearly 20 years since the artificial *sweetener* aspartame gained FDA approval, **...** www.foodconsumer.org/.../aspartame\_1509010359.html - ### [foodconsumer.org - Sugar May Be Bad, But This *Sweetener* Is Far **...**](https://www.foodconsumer.org/sugar%5Fmay%5Fbe%5Fbad%5Fbut%5Fthis%5Fsweetener%5Fis%5Ffar%5Fmore%5Fdeadly%5F020110070/) Jan 2, 2010 **...** Posted *by: Dr*. *Mercola* January 02 2010 **...** Fructose, a *sweetener* usually derived from corn, can cause dangerous growths of fat cells around **...** www.foodconsumer.org/.../sugar\_may\_be\_bad\_but\_this\_**sweetener**\_is\_far\_more\_deadly\_020110070.html - ### [foodconsumer.org - Be Aware: this "Food" Radically Increases Your **...**](https://www.foodconsumer.org/cancer%5F0608110715/) Jun 8, 2011 **...** Follow *Dr*. *Mercola* on Twitter Follow *Dr*. *Mercola* on Facebook **...** The artificial *sweetener* was approved, not on scientific grounds, **...** www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Opinion/.../cancer\_0608110715.html - ### [foodconsumer.org - Artificial *Sweeteners* \-- More Dangerous than **...**](https://www.foodconsumer.org/artificial%5Fsweeteners%5F-%5Fmore%5Fdangerous%5Fthan%5Fyou%5Fever%5Fimagined%5F1/) Oct 14, 2009 **...** *By Dr*. *Mercola* If you still believe *sweeteners* like Equal and NutraSweet are safe, you'll want to pay very close attention to this special **...** www.foodconsumer.org/.../artificial\_**sweeteners**\_--\_more\_dangerous\_than\_you\_ever\_imagined\_1.html - ### [foodconsumer.org - Can This Popular Alternative *Sweetener* Spike **...**](https://www.foodconsumer.org/uric%5Facid%5F0107100725/) Jul 2, 2010 **...** *By Dr*. *Mercola*. Many people interested in staying healthy have switched to agave as a safer "natural" *sweetener*. **...** www.foodconsumer.org/.../uric\_acid\_0107100725.html - ### [foodconsumer.org - Artificial *Sweeteners* Don't Fool Your Brain](https://www.foodconsumer.org/artificial%5Fsweeteners%5Fdon%5Ft%5Ffool%5Fyour%5Fbrain%5F1401100721/) Jan 14, 2010 **...** Posted *by: Dr*. *Mercola* January 14 2010 | 3925 views. While artificial*sweeteners* may be able to confuse your taste buds, the suspicion is **...** www.foodconsumer.org/.../artificial\_**sweeteners**\_don\_t\_fool\_your\_brain\_1401100721.html - ### [foodconsumer.org - The 'Other' *Sweetener* That's Made from Sugar **...**](https://www.foodconsumer.org/sweetener%5Fddt%5F0426110712/) The 'Other' *Sweetener* That's Made from Sugar, but is Closer to DDT. 04/26/2011 12:20:00 admin. Posted *By Dr*. *Mercola* | April 26 2011 **...** www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/.../**sweetener**\_ddt\_0426110712.html - ### [foodconsumer.org - 7 'Healthy' Foods That Are Making You Fat (comment)](https://www.foodconsumer.org/7%5Fhealthy%5Ffoods%5Fthat%5Fare%5Fmaking%5Fyou%5Ffat%5F0608110714/) Jun 8, 2011 **...** Posted *By Dr*. *Mercola* | June 08 2011\. Many foods that are advertised as **...**Artificial *sweeteners* may actually make people more prone to **...** www.foodconsumer.org/.../7\_healthy\_foods\_that\_are\_making\_you\_fat\_0608110714.html -?