It is a cost / benefit decision. I consume artifical sweeteners, because the risks and dangers associated with being morbidly obese are even greater then those risk which exist in consuming these sweeteners (which I agree exist, but which studies are still quite inconclusive on as to what these risks actually are, and how big a risk they may pose). The sweeteners allow me to be flexible in my lifestyle and maintain my hard earned weightloss - without their aid I would struggle one hell of a lot more in sticking to a (mostly) healthy diet and lifstyle. I do try to limit in some fashion the amounts of artifical sweeteners I consume, and when adding sweetener to things myself will choose a healthier natural alternative (like Stevia). But like I said, it is a cost / benefit decision. At this point in time, with the limited research available and my own health experiences, the benefit in consuming foods with sweetener far outway the possible costs with may exist.