The debate over whether artificial sweeteners are safe and healthy is the subject of a recent Toronto Star article featuring Prof. David Ma, Human Health and Nutritional Sciences. The story looked at a recent study that found an association between artificial sweeteners and long-term weight gain, increased risk of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Ma said the study involved extreme sweetener consumption, and that more studies are needed to gather accurate data. Director of the Guelph Family Health Study and president of the Canadian Nutrition Society, he studies how foods can affect health and the risk of disease.