Sugar Substitutes

Sugar substitutes or “artificial sweeteners” are food preservatives that have the duplicate taste and effect of sugar or corn syrup, but usually with less food energy. High intensity sweeteners form an important class of sugar substitutes, and are typically sweeter than natural sucrose. As a result fewer sweeteners are required and the energy contribution is almost negligible. The sweet taste of these compounds is definitely and notably different from sucrose.

The majority of sugar substitutes which are approved for use in food are artificially synthesized compounds. However, some natural sugar substitutes are known, including sorbitol and xylitol, and are found in some berries, fruit, vegetables and mushrooms. Sugar substitutes are created synthetically for mass production of food, at lower production costs.

Five artificial sugar substitutes are approved for use in food in the United States. They are saccharin, sucralose, neotame, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium. They are high intensity sweeteners. However there is an unending controversy whether artificial sweeteners are good or not for your health. Research with laboratory rats has shown some to cause disease. Stevia, a natural herbal supplement, is sometimes also used as a sweetener, though controversy exists concerning stevia’s approval as a sugar substitute.

Polyols, also known as "sugar alcohols” are another type of non-sugar sweetener. Polyols are generally less sweet than sucrose, though have similar properties and can be used in many food products. Sometimes the sweetness profile of Polyols is modified by mixing it with other high intensity sweeteners.

Artificial sugars are widely used in the food and beverage industry, which is increasingly replacing sugar or corn syrup with artificial sweeteners. In the UK, almost every type of non-cola soft drink found in supermarkets is sweetened with artificial sugars. Pickled beetroots and gherkins are also artificially sweetened. Food manufacturers use artificial sweeteners mainly because they cost just a fraction of the cost of sugar and corn syrup, resulting in larger profit margins. Originally the industry introduced corn syrup as a low-cost alternative to sugar.

Mintel (market analysts) reported that a total of 3,920 food products containing artificial sweeteners were launched in the US between 2000 and 2005. In 2004 alone, 1,649 artificially sweetened products were launched. According to another market analyst (Freedonia), the market for artificial sweeteners in US is set to grow at around 8.3% per year to $189 million in 2008. Currently, Aspartame is the most popular sweetener in the US food industry. However, statistics show that sucralose may soon replace it in popularity, thereby resulting mostly likely in a price drop of over 30%.

Top 4 reasons for using Sugar Substitutes include:

1. Sugar substitutes assist in weight loss;
2. Sugar substitutes are tooth friendly, and help in fighting tooth plaque;
3. People with diabetes have difficulty regulating their blood sugar levels. They can limit their sugar intake with artificial sugar substitutes and thus enjoy a varied diet; and
4. Individuals with reactive hypoglycemia must avoid intake of high glycemic foods like white bread, and often artificial sweeteners help them as an alternative.