Are artificial sweeteners better than real sugar? An Indiana University School of Medicine pediatrics professor argues the surprising answer is: Yes.

In an article in The New York Times, Aaron E. Carroll says medical research conclusively ties sugar to a host of health problems, from heart disease, to diabetes, to certain forms of cancer. But research findings are not as strong for links between artificial sweeteners and health problems.

“In the last few years, I’ve watched a continuing battle among my friends about which is worse for you: artificial sweeteners or sugar,” he says.

“The available evidence points to the fact that there appears to be a correlation between sugar consumption and health problems; none can be detected with artificial sweeteners.”

He notes that an article published in The Annals of Oncology in 2004 noted more than 50 studies had been published looking at saccharin in rats.

“In only one of those studies did huge amounts of saccharin produce cancer, and it was in a type of rat that is frequently infected with a bladder parasite that would leave it susceptible to saccharin-induced bladder cancer,” Carroll noted.

He added that similar conclusions have been reached about other artificial sweeteners, including as aspartame.