Artificial sweeteners, or sugar alcohols, are a sugar substitute that is used to replace real sugar in foods and beverages. Artificial sweeteners have fewer calories than natural sugar and is used by people on diets or those who wish to limit their caloric intake. Sugar alcohols are many times sweeter then regular sugar and that is why it takes a lot less artificial sugar to equal the sweetness of regular sugar. There are many possible health concerns connected with the consumption of artificial sweeteners.
Artificial Sweetener
Sugar is an important part of a person’s diet. Sugars play a role providing energy for the body to function as well as storing energy for use later. Too much sugar can lead to health problems such as diabetes, dental cavities, hypertension, heart disease, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and osteoporosis.
Most people get most of their sugar intake form sugary beverages such as soda or pop. Other sources include candies, cakes, cookies, fruit drinks, and fruitades. Some type of sugar is likely to be in a beverage or food if one of the following ingredients shows up on the label:
- brown sugar
- corn sweetener
- corn syrup
- dextrose
- fructose
- fruit-juice concentrate
- glucose
- high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
- honey
- invert sugar
- lactose
- malt syrup
- maltose
- molasses
- raw sugar
- sucrose
- syrup
- sugar alcohols
Sugar Alcohols
Sugar alcohols are a type of sugar substitute that can be found in many types of food that are labeled sugar-free, low-sugar, or low-carb. They are considered nutritive sweeteners because they provide calories when consumes. Sugar alcohol provides 2 kcal/g while sugar provides 4 kcal/gram. Sugar alcohols are in fact carbohydrates. Their structures resemble the structures of both sugars and alcohols. Sugar alcohols include the following types:
- sorbitol
- mannitol
- xylitol
- erythritol
- isomalt
- lactitol
- hydrogenated starch hydrolysates (HSH)
- maltitol
Sugar alcohols are not completely absorbed by the body and that is why they provide fewer calories than regular sugar. Sugar alcohols may cause gas or diarrhea when taken in excess. Foods containing sorbitol and mannitol must be labeled "excess consumption may have a laxative effect."
Non-nutrient sweeteners, also known as artificial sweeteners, are sugar substitutes that provide no calories. The five FDA-approved non-nutritive sweeteners are saccharine, aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, and neotame. Non-nutrient sweeteners are used for many types of diets to allow people to satisfy their sweet tooth without gaining weight. There are many possible side effects to artificial sweeteners including cancer and allergic reactions.
Saccharine is a type of artificial sweetener that is found in many types of commercial products. It can be found in Sweet’N Low, Sweet and Low, Sweet Twin, and Necta Sweet. Saccharin is often considered the safest type of artificial sweetener around.
Source:
MedicineNet, *"Artificial Sweeteners" (accessed May 30, 2010)
Percila Jackson - Percila Jackson is a freelance writer who has written for Suite 101, Helium, Bright Hub, Demand Studios, and eHow. She has been writing ...
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