Tempting color donuts
Rich and silky chocolate
Sweet and soft little cakes
It is an "artifact" that soothes the appetite and mood of many friends
But high-sugar foods satisfy the appetite at the same time
It also poses a series of health threats to the body
Obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, etc
Thus, sugar substitutes appeared
Become the "upstart" in the dessert industry
So, can sugar substitutes really replace sugar?
NO.1
What are sugar substitutes?
Sugar substitutes refer to a class of chemicals or natural extracts used to replace traditional sucrose that are similar in taste to sugar but have a lower or zero calorie content. Commonly used in food and beverages, it provides sweetness without adding extra calories and has no noticeable effect on blood sugar levels.
Sugar substitutes can be divided into two categories: synthetic and naturally extracted:
Synthetic. These sugar substitutes are manufactured by chemical synthesis and usually include aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame, etc. They are characterized by high sweetness and low or no calories.
Naturally derived sugar substitutes. This type of sugar substitute is extracted from natural plants or animals, such as stevia, erythritol, xylitol, etc. They are similar to sucrose in sweetness and taste, but are lower in calories and do not significantly affect blood sugar levels.
Sugar substitutes are often used in foods
What's the difference in sweetness?
Source: Author
Aspartame: About 200 times sweeter than sucrose, but very low in calories.
Saccharin: A synthetic sweetener that is about 300 to 500 times sweeter than sucrose.
Stevia: Stevia is a natural sweetener extracted from stevia leaves and is about 200 to 300 times sweeter than sucrose.
Erythritol: Erythritol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that is about 0.7-0.8 times sweeter than sucrose, but has a very low calorie content, almost zero.
NO.2
What is the difference between synthetic and natural sugar substitutes?
There are some differences between artificial and natural sugar substitutes in terms of safety, cost, taste, etc.:
safety
The safety of synthetic sugar substitutes is highly debated, and some synthetic sugar substitutes such as aspartame and saccharin may cause negative health effects in the event of long-term excessive intake, especially the association with cancer and other health problems.
Natural sugar substitutes are comparatively more recognized because they are derived from natural plants or animals and are generally considered safer. However, some people may be allergic to naturally extracted sugar substitutes and need to pay attention to their personal constitution.
Cost issues
The preparation cost of synthetic sugar substitutes is relatively low, as they can be prepared from cheap raw materials by chemical synthesis; Naturally extracted sugar substitutes are costly due to the complexity of the extraction process.
palate
Synthetic sugar substitutes usually have a more stable and intense sweetness, but the taste may be slightly artificial, and excessive ingestion may carry a bitter taste or other undesirable taste. The taste of naturally extracted sugar substitutes is usually closer to natural sweetness, and may contain some natural aromas and flavors for a richer taste.
NO.3
So, are there any advantages to sugar substitutes?
The answer is yes! If you look closely at the list of common food ingredients in our daily life, you will find that almost all kinds of food including beverages, juices, candies, ice cream, baked goods, yogurt, ready-to-eat food, chewing gum, oral liquid, health products and so on are added to sugar substitutes, because of the many benefits of using sugar substitutes.
01
Low calorie
Sugar substitutes are usually very low or even zero calories, so they are suitable for those who need to control their caloric intake, such as dieters or diabetics. By using sugar substitutes instead of traditional sugars, the energy density of foods can be reduced, which can help maintain a healthy weight.
02
Control your blood sugar
Some sugar substitutes have a low glycemic index (GI), meaning they have less effect on blood sugar after ingestion. This makes sugar substitutes ideal for diabetics or people who need to control their blood sugar levels, helping them avoid drastic fluctuations in blood sugar.
03
Prevent tooth decay
Most sugar substitutes are not metabolized into acids by bacteria in the mouth, so they do not corrode your teeth and help prevent tooth decay. This can be very beneficial for both children and adults, especially those with diabetes or poor oral health.
04
Suitable for special populations
Because sugar substitutes usually contain little or no carbohydrates and sugars, they are suitable for many special populations, such as those on low-carb diets, vegans, or those who are lactose intolerant.
05
The cost is lower
Compared with traditional sucrose, sugar substitutes have obvious advantages in cost. Its simple and inexpensive production process, low use but high sweetness, stable price, diversity and customizability make sugar substitutes an ideal choice for the food processing industry, providing reliable support for enterprises to save costs and improve efficiency.
NO.4
Are sugar substitutes harmful to health? Can sugar substitute products be eaten safely?
Despite the many advantages of sugar substitutes, there are also some controversies to consider. There are several studies that suggest that sugar substitute intake may be linked to cancer, digestive problems, and cardiovascular disease. However, the results of these studies are inconsistent and no clear causal relationship is derived.
According to the regulations on aspartame in the "Standard for the Use of Food Additives" (GB2760-2014) issued by the National Health Commission of China, aspartame is allowed to be used as a food additive, but it needs to meet strict use standards and limit requirements. These limit requirements are designed to ensure that the intake of aspartame in food is within safe limits. This indicates that aspartame is safe at the daily intake level.
We should remain rational when dealing with sugar substitute products and do not need to panic excessively. As a food additive, sugar substitutes have undergone strict approval and supervision and meet national food safety standards. Sugar substitutes are safe in moderation and can help people reduce their calorie intake and manage their weight.
In addition, consumers can also balance their nutritional intake and maintain healthy eating habits by diversifying their diets, including various foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Author: Small volume is not a volume Master of Food Safety and Engineering, Henan University of Technology
Editor-in-charge: Dong Xiaoxian