Your Chemical Guide to Artificial Sweeteners

17/05/2023

With the rise of health-consciousness and more accessible nutritional information, artificial sweeteners have become increasingly popular as a low-calorie alternative to traditional sugar. These sweeteners are chemically engineered to mimic the sweetness of sugar without the added calories. But with a plethora of artificial sweeteners available in the market, it can be challenging to know which one to choose.

Whether you’re a health-focused individual or just curious about how artificial sweeteners work, this article is your ultimate chemical guide to the sweet stuff.

As well as food and beverages, artificial sweeteners can be added to toothpaste, medication, and cosmetics to increase palatability without the use of sugars.

Sugar Versus Sweetener

Sugar is an essential carbohydrate that provides energy for the body. However, consuming too much sugar can have negative health consequences, such as weight gain, tooth decay, and an increased risk of chronic diseases. For this reason, some people choose to replace sugar with artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners provide the sweet taste without the calories or associated negative health effects.

Artificial sweeteners have a lower glycemic index than sugar, which means that they do not raise blood sugar levels as much as sugar does. This makes them a good option for people with diabetes or those who are trying to manage their blood sugar levels. By replacing sugar with artificial sweeteners, they can still enjoy sweet foods and beverages without consuming as much sugar.

However, some studies have suggested that they may have negative health effects, such as an increased risk of gastrointestinal problems, headaches, weight gain, and type 2 diabetes.

Aspartame

Aspartame is one of the most commonly used artificial sweeteners. It is about 200 times sweeter than sugar, and made up of two amino acids, phenylalanine, and aspartic acid.

One of the advantages of aspartame is that it does not raise blood sugar levels or affect insulin levels, which makes it a good option for people with diabetes. However, aspartame can be problematic for people with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic disorder in which the body cannot metabolize phenylalanine. In these individuals, phenylalanine can build up in the body and cause neurological problems.

Saccharin

Saccharin is one of the oldest artificial sweeteners and is about 300 times sweeter than sugar. It is made from a molecule called benzoic sulfimide and is commonly used in diet soda, tabletop sweeteners, and other low-calorie foods, as well as in toothpaste.

When saccharin is ingested, it is not metabolised by the body and is excreted in the urine. It does not raise blood sugar levels or affect insulin levels. However, there have been concerns about the safety of saccharin. In the 1970s, studies showed that high doses of saccharin could cause bladder cancer in rats. However, subsequent studies in humans have not shown a clear link between saccharin and cancer.

Sucralose

Sucralose is another commonly used artificial sweetener. It is made from sugar that has been chemically modified so that it is not absorbed by the body. When sucralose is ingested, it passes through the digestive system without being metabolised and is excreted in the urine. Sucralose is about 600 times sweeter than sugar, which means that only a very small amount is needed to achieve the desired level of sweetness. It also does not raise blood sugar levels.

One concern with sucralose is that it may have a negative impact on the gut microbiome, which is the collection of microorganisms that live in the digestive system. Studies have shown that sucralose can reduce the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut, which could have negative health consequences.

Stevia

Stevia is a natural sweetener that is derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant. It is about 200-300 times sweeter than sugar and is commonly used in natural and organic foods and beverages.

The active compounds in stevia are a group of molecules called steviol glycosides. When stevia is ingested, these molecules are broken down by enzymes in the digestive system and absorbed into the bloodstream. Stevia does not raise blood sugar levels, and also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may have health benefits.

Less processed sweeteners such as honey or molasses still add calories to your diet like sugar, though they may have other benefits over artificial sweeteners.

Sugar Alcohols

Sugar alcohols are carbohydrates that are structurally similar to true sugars, but they have fewer calories and do not raise blood sugar levels as much as sugar does. Examples include erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol. These compounds are often used in sugar-free chewing gum and lollies.

When sugar alcohols are ingested, they are partially absorbed by the body and then metabolised by the liver. Unlike artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols do provide some calories, but they are lower in calories than sugar.

One of the advantages of sugar alcohols is that they do not raise blood sugar levels as much as sugar does. However, sugar alcohols can cause gastrointestinal problems in some people, such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea. This is because they are not completely absorbed by the body and can ferment in the large intestine, causing these symptoms

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