(WL) Artificial Sweeteners Lesson

Artificial Sweeteners

If you are trying to reduce the sugar and calories in your diet, you may be turning to artificial sweeteners and other sugar substitutes. Today artificial sweeteners and other sugar substitutes are found in a variety of food and beverages; they're marketed as "sugar-free or diet," including soft drinks, chewing gum, jellies, baked goods, candy, fruit juice and ice cream.

Just what are these sweeteners and what's their role in your diet ?

Artificial sweeteners are synthetic sugar substitutes, but may be derived from naturally occurring substances, including herbs or sugar itself. Artificial sweeteners are also known as intense sweeteners because they are many times sweeter than regular sugar. Artificial sweeteners are attractive alternatives to sugar because they add virtually no calories to your diet. In addition, you need only a fraction compared with the amount of sugar you would normally use for sweetness.

Sugar substitutes are loosely considered any sweetener that you use instead of regular table sugar (sucrose). Artificial sweeteners are just one type of sugar substitute.

Artificial sweeteners are also popular for home use. Some can even be used in baking or cooking. Some artificial sweeteners may leave an aftertaste. Try different artificial sweeteners to find one or a combination that you enjoy.

One benefit of artificial sweeteners is that they don't contribute to tooth decay and cavities. They may also help with the following:

• Weight control: One of the most appealing aspects of artificial sweeteners is that they have virtually no calories.

• Diabetes: Artificial sweeteners may be a good alternative to sugar if you have diabetes. Unlike sugar, artificial sweeteners generally don't raise blood sugar levels because they are not carbohydrates.

Artificial sweeteners have been scrutinized intensely for decades. Critics of artificial sweeteners say that they cause a variety of health problems, including cancer. Artificial sweeteners are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as food additives. They must be reviewed and approved by the FDA before being made available for sale. The FDA has also established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for each artificial sweetener. This is the maximum amount considered safe to consume each day over the course of your lifetime. ADIs are intended to be about 100 times less than the smallest amount that might cause health concerns.

 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Artificial Sweeteners
Advantages Disadvantages
  • Help to cut calories on anything from cookies to iced tea.
  • Eating your favorite baked goods sweetened with artificial sweeteners may also be beneficial for your teeth.
  • Artificial sweeteners may also help to ease some struggles that many diabetics feel when watching their carbohydrate and sugar intake.
  • Because the human body was not designed to process these chemicals, our bodies are unable to absorb them. Instead, they sit in the GI tract where they can ultimately cause gas, bloating or diarrhea.
  • Artificial sweeteners may also lead to other cravings.
  • Because artificial sweeteners have a more intense flavor than real sugar, over time, products like diet soda or other artificially sweetened products can dull your senses to naturally sweet foods such as fruits.

 

 

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