As I have said before, sugar appears to be a drug, even though it's not classified as a drug by the FDA. It fits the dictionary definition in part: A chemical substance used to enhance physical or mental well-being. The chemical structure is C12H22O11 and is obtained from the juice or sap of many plants.
One thing we know is that all drugs have side effects. A sweetener may enhance physical or mental well-being for a time but may have after effects. Looking at it from the perspective of pH balance, most sweeteners are highly acidic (i.,e., metabolized as acid).
The following are highly acidic (acid forming in the body)
Agave nectar, all artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes, beet sugar, corn syrup, honey (pasteurized and unpasteurized), molasses, white sugar.
The only one that is slightly alkaline is Chicory Stevia (as of 2008).
I think all sweeteners are bad because they set up an extreme "taste preference" whereby you tend to eat more of food items that are less beneficial for health. For example, sweeteners enhance baked goods, etc., and therefore lead to addiction and weight gain.
