In doing research for this article, I was somewhat alarmed to see in an article from Redbook, on the WebMD website, some references to some dangerous artificial sweeteners, along with info on some safe alternatives.  What's up with that?  I've read enough strong warnings from enough sources to know that artificial sweetening is a bad idea. 
We have natural sweeteners that are safe and low in calories.  Why would anyone want to use a chemical in their food or beverage?
According to The Douglass Report, http://www.douglassreport.com/reports/aspartame, Aspartame is one of the most dangerous substances ever added to food.  Not only has aspartame been proven to make you fatter, it's been proven to cause some pretty serious diseases, not the least of which are Cancer and neurological diseases. (And yes, I said it will make you Fatter.)
The proof is already on file.  Aspartame has caused more complaints to the FDA than any other additive - ever.  It is responsible for a full 75% of the complaints the agency gets.  From 10,000 consumer complaints, the FDA compiled a list of 92 symptoms, including DEATH.  (That's a pretty serious symptom.)
Many people these days have fallen prey to the big ad campaign for Splenda. They said it's "Made from sugar so it tastes like sugar".  What they don't tell you is about the 5-step process they put it through that changes the chemical composition and makes it more like a fructo-galactose molecule.  (Not something that occurs in Nature).  Your body cannot metabolize this.  A good website to look at for information on Splenda is http://www.drmercola.net  Symptoms reported to Dr. Mercola by his patients, regarding Splenda include:
seizures, headaches, body and chest pains, flushing, acne, rashes, diarrhea, nausea, altered emotional state, anxiety, depression, mental and emotional breakdown, and panic attacks.  And the makers of Splenda are telling you to give this stuff to your kids!
I could go on and on here, for as you know, we have been so inundated with the onslaught of these chemical sweeteners and the advertisement of them, that many people think of them as normal to consume.  Please, back away from the laboratory! 
We are, most of us, quite fond of the taste of sweetness.  We are brought up on sweet goodies, and it is the favorite flavor of most kids.  But once we grow up, we have to behave more maturely, and see that we and our children make better choices. 
We can still enjoy sweetness in our foods.  Sugar is fine in moderation. (If you are diabetic, follow your doctor's directions on this subject)  There are also some natural sweeteners available that are delicious and good for you.  Stevia is one such sweetener.  Made simply from a plant that can even be grown right here in Arkansas, Stevia is delicious and good for you.  You can buy it at the grocery store under several brand names, one being Truvia.   The syrup from the Blue Agave plant is another.  Not quite as convenient, maybe, but a good natural sweetener.
Please take the time to think about the kind of sweeteners you are putting into your body.  Diet sodas are so bad for you in so many ways.  Chemical sweeteners, added to phosphoric acid, then served in an aluminum can.  Good grief, there's 3 kinds of poison right there.  For more information, please Google "Aspartame poisoning", "dangers of diet sodas" and "aluminum poisoning".