Artificial Sweeteners
overconsumption of energy and thus may contribute to the global sugar epidemic. This epidemic can lead to a different epidemic such as chronic disease. In addition, sugar provides only “empty calories”, potentially leading to nutrient inadequacy, which can lead to corresponding health consequences. There are many sugar substitutes that can be used and the most recent one that came into the news spotlight is stevia. Of course as with all sugar products and its substitutes there are problems. The controversy with sugar comes into play when people try to figure out where to draw the line with sugar and how to substitute it because it is in almost all products. This paper identifies the safety issue as well as the role in weight control with sugar
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There are several different types of sugar substitutes commonly used. Artificial sweeteners are typically synthetic meaning they are made in a laboratory and non-nutritive, which means they don’t contain calories and don’t supply your body with energy, vitamins, or anything beneficial to your body. A teaspoon of sugar contains about 16 calories, so people trying to maintain or lose weight often turn to artificial sweeteners to satisfy their sweet tooth. Sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol, maltitol and xylitol, and natural sweeteners, such as honey, on the other hand, usually do contain calories. The most popular types of sugar substitutes in the US and many other countries are artificial sweeteners. These synthetic substitutes are many times sweeter than sugar, so less is needed to obtain the same level of sweetness as something containing sugar. They can also intensify and prolong flavors, which is why you may find that the flavor of artificially sweetened chewing gum lasts longer than sugar sweetened gum. Sweeteners can be used in the home for baking, and they can also be found in many processed products including soft drinks, candy, and canned foods. They are becoming more popular as tabletop sweeteners at home and are available at nearly all restaurants and food chains to put in coffee and tea (Han). Commonly used natural sweeteners include honey, molasses, maple syrup and agave nectar. Most of these natural sweeteners contain either fructose meaning the kind of sugar found in fruit or glucose which is found in a variety of foods such as grains, fruits and vegetables, which are two types of simple sugars. Often, natural sweeteners are advertised as a healthier alternative to table sugar because they are not processed. However, most of these have just as many calories
There are several different types of sugar substitutes commonly used. Artificial sweeteners are typically synthetic meaning they are made in a laboratory and non-nutritive, which means they don’t contain calories and don’t supply your body with energy, vitamins, or anything beneficial to your body. A teaspoon of sugar contains about 16 calories, so people trying to maintain or lose weight often turn to artificial sweeteners to satisfy their sweet tooth. Sugar alcohols, such as sorbitol, maltitol and xylitol, and natural sweeteners, such as honey, on the other hand, usually do contain calories. The most popular types of sugar substitutes in the US and many other countries are artificial sweeteners. These synthetic substitutes are many times sweeter than sugar, so less is needed to obtain the same level of sweetness as something containing sugar. They can also intensify and prolong flavors, which is why you may find that the flavor of artificially sweetened chewing gum lasts longer than sugar sweetened gum. Sweeteners can be used in the home for baking, and they can also be found in many processed products including soft drinks, candy, and canned foods. They are becoming more popular as tabletop sweeteners at home and are available at nearly all restaurants and food chains to put in coffee and tea (Han). Commonly used natural sweeteners include honey, molasses, maple syrup and agave nectar. Most of these natural sweeteners contain either fructose meaning the kind of sugar found in fruit or glucose which is found in a variety of foods such as grains, fruits and vegetables, which are two types of simple sugars. Often, natural sweeteners are advertised as a healthier alternative to table sugar because they are not processed. However, most of these have just as many calories