Side Effects of Splenda and Other Artifical Sweeteners
The Problem with Splenda
As more and more people are becoming obese there are more people looking to substitute their favorite foods with those that are not as calorie packed but taste just as good. Many have found that artificial sweeteners are the way to go, with Splenda being the latest and supposedly greatest in a long line of products. It’s true; this artificial sweetener does taste better than those of the past, but is it worth it? Splenda is packaged well and has been marketed beautifully, but there is some scientific data that suggests that Splenda is not nearly as kind to your body as real, calorie packed sugar is.
Artificial Food Products
It seemed as though Splenda was the dieter’s dream and so many of us are reluctant to admit that artificial sweeteners and other man made products simply are not good for us. The problem is that the only safe foods are those that actually come from the earth, not those that have to be chemically produced or changed to create the product. In fact it appears as though chemically altered substances may take a toll on our health and the health of our children. For this reason, you should not consider Splenda, which is basically a sugar free chemical substance, a product that you want to buy.
Is Splenda Better than Aspartame?
The availability of Splenda came on the heels of disappointment of many as we found out the dangers associated with aspartame. Aspartame penetrates the blood brain barrier, meaning it can enter the brain and create toxins that can literally damage the brain. Many diet conscience people turned to Splenda because they didn’t want to experience neurological side effects that aspartame can and does cause. We don’t yet know what the long term affects of Splenda usage will be, but we do know that it is not a naturally occurring sugar product, in fact it is a chemical substance, and that fact speaks volumes. The fact is we aren’t sure yet if Splenda is any better for your body than aspartame. The question is are you willing to take the chance?
Splenda: To Buy or Not to Buy?
For the longest time NutraSweet was the biggest seller of all of the artificial sweeteners, but when research uncovered the data about what aspartame does to the brain and the body on a whole many people were disgusted and worried about their health. Splenda seems like a great option because it is manufactured by a well known brand, Johnson & Johnson, and it also tastes much more like sugar than anything else that has been on the market in the past. Splenda is also marketed as being made from real sugar, making it an obvious choice for those that are looking for a sugar substitute. Splenda has another attractive feature, which is that it is heat stable, meaning people who are trying to cut calories from their diet or individuals, such as diabetics, can enjoy more of their favorite foods without the calories and carbohydrates associated with real sugar.
What Do We Already Know About Splenda?
While we do not yet have long term studies on the side effects of Splenda, we do know that Splenda and other blends of chemical sweeteners appear to be causing problems. Those that use the substances gain weight, experience sleep disturbances, have problems with sexual functions, as well as an increased risk of cancer! In addition it appears as though Splenda and other artificial sweeteners are causing an increase in Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, diabetes, and many different degenerative diseases. In short, Splenda and similar sweeteners are hurting the very people that the product is marketed toward: those that do not want to gain weight and those that cannot freely consume real sugar!
A lot of researchers are concerned about the chlorine in Splenda. Those that created Splenda have openly stated that there is chlorine in Splenda, which is not a big deal because chlorine is usually used in combination with other elements. Chlorine is not harmful to the body because it is usually absorbed and flushed away like everything else. The problem with Splenda is that those that are in the know have admitted that only about 15% of Splenda is actually absorbed by the body. What this means is that the creators of Splenda cannot actually tell us how much chlorine has been left in the body! The fact is, any element that is being left in the body in undetermined amounts can cause problems, and there is no doubt that the chlorine that you are taking in through Splenda is causing problems for your body.
Don’t Be Fooled by Sweetener Blends
Many artificial sweetener users are turning away from aspartame and sucralose or Splenda and are turning toward the sweetener blends that they are finding in products, assuming that these are somehow safer. These sweetener blends are simply mixtures of the harmful substances. The reason that these substances are often used together is that they can reproduce the real sugar taste better than they can alone.
When consumers ingest these sweetener blends they are not only getting the side effects of one sweeter, they are getting them from all of the sweeteners used. In addition, who knows what sort of toxins could be produced by the mixture of the products? It’s already been stated that you cannot excrete all of these sweeteners or the chemicals in them, imagine how many toxins you have floating around your body right now!
Is Anything Safe Anymore?
Sugar is still safe, and though it does tend to pack the calories into every sugary spoonful it can’t cause any more weight gain than is already being caused by the artificial sweeteners out there. The difference between sugar and the artificial products is that sugar satisfies the body, but the artificial sweeteners actually trick your body and make you hungrier, causing you to consume more calories than you would have otherwise. Seems like a vicious circle, doesn’t it? Be sure when you buy sugar not to buy the altered sugar products as these can be detrimental to your health.
The sweeteners that you probably just want to scratch off of your safe to use list are aspartame, acesulfame-K, neotame, sucralose, and alitame. Sucralose and Alitame both have FDA approval pending. A sweetener known as Cyclamate lost its FDA approval back in 1970, though it is currently up for approval again. There is and probably always will be more sweeteners in various stages of development as well as FDA approval.
In addition to sugar you can also safely consume saccharin and stevia. Saccharin is actually a complex sugar extract that comes from a plant that originated in China. The FDA has reported that neither saccharine or stevia has ever caused cancer! This is more like it!
Weight Gain and Ceasing the Use of Artificial Sweeteners
If you consume artificial sweeteners because you want to lose weight, you might want to know that researches cannot find any evidence that the sugar substitutes actually help consumer’s lose weight. These chemicals, in many circumstances, often stimulate the appetite so it could be working against you. Simply limit the amount of food that you are taking in and making better food choices will be a more straight forward way to lose weight and healthier, too!
When you stop using these sweeteners you will probably notice a huge change. Children are often the most noticeably different when artificial sweeteners are pulled from their diet. Many depressed and aggressive children become more balanced and enjoyable to be around. Many researchers also attribute many mental illnesses or behavioral problems to the over use of chemicals in our diets.
The way to identify what does and does not have Splenda or any other artificial sweeteners is to read labels. When you get in the habit of checking labels you can better your life and the lives of all of your family members. Even diabetics can find better ways to eat and drink rather than take in these harmful chemicals, it’s simply about making better food choices for everyone.
With more than 3,000 products on the market today with just Splenda in them, reading labels will really help you cease using these products. While we don’t know for sure what long term use of Splenda will mean, it’s better to quit while you’re ahead than wait and see based on initial research and the case histories associated with similar products.
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57 Responses to “Side Effects of Splenda and Other Artifical Sweeteners”
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Please tell me if Splenda used 4-5 times a day regularly can cause leg sores. Thank you.
I use spleda on every thing. Not just an envelope ,but 3-4 envelopes per serving. I am using it to loose weight. Please tell me every thing you are positive about. Would appreciate any thing you can do to help me. I go thru a box of splenda a week. I use it in every thing I eat.What are the side affects your positive it does? I am having a lot of health problems and need to know if spenda is causing any of them. Kay
How much Splenda daily is harmful? This article does not specify it.
splenda has cyanide in it!!!!!!!!
I WOULD LIKE OT KNOW IF EATING SPLEDNA YOU CAN HAVE PROBLEMS WITH HEART PALP. AND SLEEPING IESUES.
Does splenda cause skin rashes. If yes what does it look like?
I used splenda on everything! I developed a extreme itch on top of both forearms….topical anti-itch lotions were mostly ineffective…I quit taking splenda and the itch went away…I truly beleive that was the cause! go back to sugar…
I want to know more also. I started using Splenda the first part of 2008 as part of new diet. Now I have unexplained itchy, rash sores that started on legs really bad, then arm and spread to torso. Could it be from Splenda?
I was told it was safe by my doctor, now after using it 2 years I have concerns. I think its wise not to put any chemicals into your body.
I was looking into the new sugar substitute and it’s side effects and then decided to look into SPLENDA. I use Splenda in my ice tea, coffee and some foods every day. I know I crave food more than I used to but I thought is was because of other reasons. Thanks to the articles I have read, I plan on stop using Splenda in my diet. I do not plan on using another one nor much if any sugar. It will be hard but my health is more important than these problems. Thank you for this information.
I have been using it for coffee for about a year and 8 months ago my blood pressure became an issue. No high blood pressure in my lineage. I am going to quit using and see what happens. I am not obese by any means – hope going back to sugar resolves…
How can I really believe what is said in this article if there is not one reference to who wrote it? I know that splenda is a toxin and is not good for you in any amount, but who wrote this and where did you get your facts?
I have used Splenda in my morning coffee(approximately 4 cups with 2 packets per day)for several years. I was not aware of all the other food and drink that contained Splenda so my total intake would have been more. About 6 weeks ago my hands and face broke out in a rash and tiny blisters. The itching is terrible. I stopped all Splenda intake three weeks ago. The itching is not as bad but not gone. The rash is still exist too. My original suspicions were laundry detergent, fabric softener,shampoo,etc. I began eliminating these items as well as foods, vitamin pills and everything I could think of to resolve the problem. Then I “Googled” “Splenda itch”. Wow, did I get an education. I’m not the only one. How long will this continue, Splenda? Are you going to test or respond to any of the numerous comments related to this?
[...] juice is sweetened with Splenda (i.e. sucralose), an artificial sweetener that can cause various side effects. Plus, the drink only contains 27% juice. It’s the flavor of cranberry with out the [...]
I’m diabetic I use Splenda for a very long time
but, lately have has trouble with bowel movement
and have been suffering from severety constipattio
my doctor has done way too many test and nothing has change much, I’m wondering if the use of Splenda for som long could be the reason of my
present problem. Please respond me back i really want to know, that way I can change to different
sweetener or not. Thank you
Salt is made up of a chlorine and sodium atom reacted together. Ever heard of anyone getting cancer from salt? As a chemist, I find all these claims made on the internet highly amusing! Relax with the fear mongering!
I’ve been using Splenda for a couple of years and I notice that my sleeping habits were pretty bad, and then the itching started a few weeks ago. I went to the Doctor and he changed my medications,but to no avail. The itching has not gone away.
I agree with I rene’s comment, and I also feel a need to comment about the lousy grammar, spelling and other English usage problems just on this page– “Side Effects of Splenda and Other Artifical Sweeteners”. For example– A,B & C COMPRISE D, but D is COMPOSED OF A,B & C. This is one of the most common usage errors in the language. The article is also way too long and doesn’t say much– edit the page(s) and save us all some reading time. I mean these comments sincerely, not just to be a whining crank. I hope you’ll take them seriously. You have a good site, now polish it.
I have a real bad rash on both my legs and my Doctor has no idea what is causing it… I drink more than a dozen cups of tea a day all with two Splenda packets in it… Going to stop the Splenda and will write again after I see what difference I notice… Also, I am alway hungry no matter how much I eat… I am concerned seeing I have been doing this cycle for many years now…
Hi, I have been drinking splenda in my coffee each morning for several months, one morning recently I woke up to extreme itching in the palms of my hands and the soles of my feet. I even used crushed ice in my hands to quite the intense itch. I thought it was a new Hormone drug, I went to two Doctors that week. I have changed everything, soap,shampoo, lotion, deod,even coffee. Tonight I googled Splenda and now I am thinking thats what it is. Today I had an extra Splenda in a glass of water just for a different taste and now I am itching out of my skin, I do not have a rash just whelps when I scratch the itch. I am having fluid retention as well.
I’ve used Splenda for years. I used to be obese and it helped me lose a lot of weight and keep it off. I think you guys are just paranoid. The only thing it makes me crave is more splenda, evil bastards! I hope more people start using it so the price can come down a little.
I started using splenda in my tea and other foods but I’ve noticed I have more head aches and sleeping issues. I think splenda is filled with chemicals and toxins that are not good for us so I’ve decided to stop using it altogether. I’ve never had so many head aches in my life but now I know why!
I suffer from a grade IV glioblastoma and have been on temador , a maintainance chemo, for the last four years. Due to my energy levels being low I have some pounds to shed. I have been using splenda the last two years quite heavily and was wondering if it would be better to go back to useing sugar.
To make a long story short… I broke out in hives on the back of my neck and the side of my face four days ago. Red welps and scabs formed on the side of my neck behind my left ear. I thought it was a heat rash our something to that effect so I was just going to let it heal itself within a few days as I have done many times before. My friend and I have been on a new sugarless diet. We started using SPLENDA in our oatmeal. I would use one pack per cooked cup and he would use 6-8 packs. I made fun of him and said he would catch cancer from that much. I went on line as a joke and found “Side effects of SPLENDA” (naturalhealthtechniques.com) and I was SHOCKED!!!!!!!! There it was in my face everything that I had been feeling and could see with my own eyes in a mirror. Even the feeling of 4th of July sparklers hitting my skin…
I know for a fact that SPLENDA caused this to happen to me because I am very stricted with my food intake. I count every Calorie, Protein and Carb I eat. The only thing different about my diet in the last 4 weeks is/was SPLENDA in place of brown sugar on my oatmeal. NOW I KNOW.
I took some Benadryl after reading the list and now 5 hours later my swelling has went down, the itching has stopped and the “Sparkler Feeling” has went away. This is not “Fear Mongering”. It is pure facts.
If anyone doubts me or want’s to talk with me about this please feel free to contact me: mattxoaaron@hotmail.com
Really? The only argument in this article is that splenda is not naturally occuring and therefore must be harmful. To the writer of this blog, do you have any scientific evidence pointing out the harmful properties of Splenda?
Thank you
I to, am tired of the fear mongering and hypochondriacs. Yes, it is a non-naturally occuring chemical. As with everything else, there are benefits and risks. Different reactions may occur in different people, and if used, it should probably be in moderation (like everything else). Common sense, people. Extremes are the real problem.
Eat too much… gain weight… no brainer there.
Sugar, while natural and “better” for you, has its own host of problems and should be consumed in moderation as well.
Wake up people. Stop blaming big companies for your problems. Take control of your lives and be accountable for yourselves.
I just use one serving of splenda per day. Are the studies as to whether taken in moderation will have adverse affects?
I have been experiencing a serious burning and itching of my hands and feet. I also have had rashes break out on my hands and feet. I didn’t know what to do, so after about 4 month of on and off episodes I went to the doctor. They ran all kinds of test. CBC, lipid, blood glucose. Gout and other test but they game a good bill of health. They also ran test to see if I was allergic to bacteria etc. The doctor and I talked and he asked me when the episodes started and did my diet change during that time. The only thing I know that changed during that time was I started using splenda, So I stopped about a week and the episodes stopped. I started back and my hands and feet started swelling, itching and burning. Not to excluded not being able to sleep. I think people need to know the side effect and it needs to be taken of the shelf
Here is the science. In this article James Bowen M.D. (Physician and Biochemist) explains, among other things, the difference between the chlorine in salt and the poisonous chlorine (chlorocarbon) in Splenda. Mike Albritton, if you really are a chemist, you should know this. As for other talk of hypochondria, you should look up the definition. Diagnosed cases of disease are something completely different. If a “big company” markets a product as healthy when they know that to not be the case obviously they are to blame. At least Saccharin contained a warning label. Splenda, like Aspartame, is poison and if you or someone in your life had become ill as a result of its use you would change your tune. You asked for science. Read the article…
http://www.holisticmed.com/splenda/bowen.html
I tried decided to try Splenda because diabetes runs in my family. Perhaps a ’sugar free’ alternative would be a good idea. I quickly found out after using it twice that I have a potentially fatal allergy to sucralose. My extended family joked about it until someone ‘forgot’ to tell me that a Splenda-brown sugar blend was used to sweeten baked beans at a barbecue. Within minutes it looked like I had been punched in the eyes due to swelling. Now no one in my family uses sucralose. My previous allergic symptoms were: red dots everywhere that looked like goosebumps, hives, severe intestinal cramps, disoriented thinking, loss of balance, and shock.
(this reply is also under ‘Can Splenda Kill? It seems that more people are viewing this page)
My sister says Splenda kills ants. I have been using Splenda ever since it came to market – so far, so good! I think a lot of the symptoms people complain about are caused by something else.
Saccharin does cause cancer
That’s why the goverment in Taiwan banned saccharin. That was 10 years ago when I was in my hometown. I don’t use Sweet N Low, because I know it’s not good for my health.
I experienced sudden bloating and cramping followed by violent diarrehia and then exhaustion each time I ate a particular sugar free candy –
It took me til the 3rd incident – before I figured out there was a pattern. Guess what? I don’t need these problems. I rarely eat candy so this became known to me over a period of months, when a friend at work and I would share a small pkg of the sugarless candies.
I think a better warning should be required and I would not use the term mild laxtive effect to describe my experiences. How about sudden violent painful debilitating? These are better descriptions.
[...] Dieters have now turned to the newer product Splenda, but we have yet to understand the long terms effect of ingesting it. There are some things we do know though; We know that it is a chemical substance and not a naturally occurring sugar product. That alone should raise at least a polka-dotted flag. It is now suggested that ingesting natural sugar is better than ingesting artificial sweeteners. Splenda Info [...]
I started going through the change about two years ago so I pretty much had decided what I was experiencing was due to that but here it is two years later and I am worse. I do not seem to have any energy or the desire to delve into my art, which is just not me. I drink probably way too much coffee and I put three splenda packets in each cup of coffee about six times a day. My sleep is terrible. My body seems to hurt and I am just drained of all energy. I’m not fat. If anything I am thin and I eat pretty healthy. Mostly veggies, protein, yogurt, berries, nuts, cheese and fruits. Once in a while a big bag of Smart white cheddar popcorn. I just wonder if this splenda is the cause of this lethargic state I seem to be in all the time now?
I normally do fine with Splenda. Then, I made some splenda oatmeal cookies so I could really enjoy lots of them.
I ate all the cookies in 3 days along with three cups of splenda inside!
I had a strange headache more so each night (I never get headaches)and all day long I had an ill stomach sickness, like motion sickness with related dizziness. I also got sudden sweating flashes where I would feel super hot and sickish all at once. It made me not want to eat.
It took a long time for me to realize it was splenda – I eat very healthy – Fresh fruits, veggies, raw foods, I cut out soda & began buying a rootbeer sweetened with Splenda. I drank for 2 yrs . I broke out in hives- though it was stress – I had horrific dizzy spells where I would become weightless & feel like I was rapidly flipping backwards ! I thought it was sinus, then ear, then brain tumor- but no specialist could find anything I became so worried- the dizzy spells sometimes occurred when I was driving ! yikes * I could not feel my weight holding the wheel. I decided to cut out anything artificial so I cut out splenda & BOOM as soon as I did, I havent had an episode since! no more hives either, & no more intense skin itching. I dont think splenda & I get along
agave is a wonderful pure sweetener- its low glycemic & you use so little for great sweet flavor- made from the cactus, not chemcally made- its great! I use it now for everything. I even make my own soda with carbonator mahcine, lemon, lime & agave- waa laa – my own 7-up
I HAVE USED SPLENDA FOR 7 OR 8 YEARS WAS ON CARB DIET LOST OVER 100 LBS HAVE ONLY GAINED 26 BACK BUT HAVE BEEN HAVEING PROBLEMS WITH MY VOICE IM AN HOARSE ALOT AN LOSE MY VOICE WHEN I TALK COULD THIS BE A SIDE EFFECT FROM SPLENDA?????
Headline in Holistic Health Blog:
“Record rains in California; Splenda side effect suspected.”
I use splanda daily be cause i am a diabetic and i want to know dose it harm the brain if you eat to much
I’ve been using sugar substitutes for years now and recently switched to Splenda, thinking it was safer. I’m going to quit all sugar substitutes, I’m just wondering if once the damage has been already done, can it be reversed?
I’m shocked the Sacarin is safer than Nutrasweet and Splenda. The pink packs even have warnings.
I know that if I have even 1 sip of something that contains Splenda/Sucralose, I am floored with a Migraine., I know at least 4 other people who have this reaction, so something is just not right with it!
Splenda gave me awful gas, headaches, and sleep deprivation.
As soon as I stopped taking it, I felt so much better!
This stuff is poison!
Go with the natural stuff like stevia or dehydrated cane juice powder.
We are natural beings, quit putting synthetic poisons in your body!
That website you posted Chris was biased and had some incorrect data. Also, to contribute his disease to something he consumed with no proof is NOT scientific, which is what he is trying to do by even mentioning it…there are a lot of uneducated people out there that jump on the bandwagon. Can splenda cause side effects? Of course, everything in nature can cause side effects in certain people. Look at the latex fruits! I am even allergic to beef when I get my allergy tests.
Also , splenda cannot cross the blood-brain barrier and it is broken down starting in the mouth, how are you getting migraines from one sip? That does sound a little psychosomatic…
This site is not a credible site first off and it is disheartening to see people start freaking out at the first little comment. There are guidelines for splenda on the FDA website, for those of you asking. Do I think stevia is better, yes. HOwever, all things in moderation. Even sunlight and tomatoes can cause cancer! Peanuts and celery are toxins to our body in large doses. Thus, are you all going to cut out celery and peanut butter?
I know some of you are questioning who I am, well, I am a scientist with a MS in molecular and cellular biology with a thesis geared around TGF’s that promote cancer.
I am an open minded person. The word natural means nothing.Absolutely nothing!!
I would say that everytime I have tried a sustitute sweetener I had digestive problems such as heartburn. Stevia is the only one that worked fine.Yet stevia was kept from us by the FDA and
American Diabetes Association. Why? Shouldn’t there be an investigation of some sort.
For about two years I battled terrible bladder infections and issues. I ‘was’ an avid Sweet N Low User for years. After numerous bladder infections, symptoms that never went away, expensive RX’s and Doctor visits, I decided to get off Sweet N Low and switch to Splenda just to see if I could get some relief from Bladder symptions. MIRACLE! Each day I was off Sweet N Low I just got better and better. Within two weeks, all Bladder problems have ceased. My Doctor is amazed that I found my own cure to this very irritating issue that I had for a long time. All tests have come back completely normal. If you have bladder issues and use Sweet N Low, try the switch.
Does splenda cause bloating, weight gain, dry skin, itching and fat on the belly ?
Is it carcinogenic ?
Does splenda alter the sugar metabolism ?
Has anyone had problems with their hands from using too much Splenda? I am allergic to so many meds and foods plus being Diabetic has been quite
the challange. I thought Splenda was a gift from the Heavens. I started using Splenda in everything. I love Diet Soda which also sweetened with Splenda.
I started having horrid hand/finger pain and stiffness. This seemed to happen after I had been asleep for awhile.
I was told that the hand problem was because I was Diabetic.
For two days I couldn’t have my usual ritual of eating my lemon pudding made with Splenda nor my SugarFree Soda also made with Splenda.
BINGO !! I did not awaken with painful hands nor stiffness on the second morning.
I stopped drinking the Soda. And I noticed an improvement in the next week.
Then I started only using Stevia in my pudding making. WOW…what a difference.
The other day I was in want of my favorite Diet Soda. I had two cans.
Next morning…my hands were painfully stiff !
I have tried this now several times.
Now I am totally afraid of Splenda.
Hope this helps someone.
this very serious and deadly how many people have died
splenda is that dangeris!
I’ve had an unexplainable itch all over my body since using Splenda, particularly my legs. When my Splenda intake was higher, it spread all over my body which has baffled my doctor. After reading all these comments, I’m walking away from Splenda forever!
I started and stopped using splenda a couple years ago. I was about 28 pretty healthy and active. I started working at again and drinking coffee. I used a lot of splenda in my coffee, 2T/cup of coffee at least, too much I know. Anyhow about 3 months later, and 3 months (motion sickness),it finally clicked in my head what was going on. A lot of the issues I was having I didn’t realize were related at all. The more coffee I drank the tireder I got. I was having issues of slight vertigo. Head ache and nausea. Like three months of motion sickness. I had quit drinking coffee for a couple weeks cause stupid me, I thought it was the coffee. I was pondering one night why coffee was giving me issues. The a lightbulb hit. It’s what I’m putting in my coffee. I ran to the computer and googled splenda side effects. The first thing I read was a story of a girl with the exact same issues. It was like I had wrote my symptoms down on the blog, plus it pointed out some I didn’t realize were going on. Any who, long story not so short, lol.
I told my huby and my boss what was going on, they laughed. I tested it for myself, I had 1 cup of coffee w/splenda and that night was nuts. I was laying in bed and turned my head slightly and the room spun around me so fast I grabbed the bed and held on for dear life. I “knew” I was flying off and was going to crash on my night stand. I had a couple more episodes like that that night. Two days later I was fine. That’s my splenda story. I used to tell people how good it was. I would recommend Stevia, research it its good. That’s my story, I hope it helps someone.
I have a sleep disorder that doctors cannot figure out…I awaken with internal tremors (in my chest -it is not related to my heart…had MAANY cardio test and it is not related to my heart) I’ve used Splenda for years….wonder if that is the problem…I’m going off Splenda to see if it resolves my sleep problem.
Does Splenda cause painful bones?
I hope that everyone reading this article notices the lack of actual evidence. Anyone can claim that something “appears” to be doing something. That way, they can’t be held liable if they are spreading disinformation. For example, I could say that it “appears that the sugar industry is responsible for this website.”