Artificial and alternative sweeteners often get a bad rap, because they've often earned it. Some have been found to be carcinogenic, most have been shown to contribute to diabetes nearly as effectively as sugar, and many come with a slew of side effects that are never reported on the labels. So why should we trust any of these newer alternative sweeteners coming out now? And just how natural are they really when they're being produced on an industrial level. Today, we discuss one group of alternative sweeteners that have been charging to the forefront of the sugar-free market, the sugar alcohols.