{"id":16706,"date":"2018-10-11T08:49:19","date_gmt":"2018-10-11T12:49:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/caloriecontrol.org\/?p=16706"},"modified":"2020-04-20T16:15:44","modified_gmt":"2020-04-20T20:15:44","slug":"safety-and-benefits-of-low-or-no-calorie-sweeteners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/caloriecontrol.org\/safety-and-benefits-of-low-or-no-calorie-sweeteners\/","title":{"rendered":"Safety and Benefits of Low or No Calorie Sweeteners"},"content":{"rendered":"

October 11, 2018 — By Rosanne Rust MS, RDN, LDN\u00a0 \u2014<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>Unlike caloric sweeteners, a low or no calorie sweetener provides consumers with the sweetness they desire without adding calories or carbohydrate to the diet. Many low and no calorie sweeteners (LNCS) have decades of research behind them and multiple benefits for weight loss, use in diabetes management, and health. Sweeteners including saccharin, aspartame, sucralose, stevia, acesulfame potassium (or acesulfame K), and allulose have been studied for safety.<\/p>\n

Why?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Why do we need LNCS? Most people are aware that obesity is an issue in the United States, and around the world. Many of the reduced-calorie and light products available to support calorie reductions for weight management or for blood sugar control in diabetes, would not be on the market without LNCS. Reducing sugar in the diet has been shown to help reduce calories, and possibly reduce the risks of disease, including metabolic syndrome – which can lead to diabetes and heart disease risk. LNCS has had a huge impact on many food categories, including sweetened beverages, which can help with overall reduction of sugar in the diet.<\/p>\n

Quick Facts<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The variety of options on the market today each offer properties that make them appealing to various food categories.<\/p>\n

Saccharin is <\/em>300-500 times sweeter than sugar, and has been used as a non-caloric sweetener for over a century. In addition to its role as an ingredient to sweeten foods and beverages, it\u2019s also a table top sweetener sold under the brand Sweet n\u2019Low\u00ae.<\/p>\n

Aspartame<\/em> is nearly 200 times sweeter than sugar and has a sugar-like taste making it suitable for a variety of products such as beverages and chewing gum. It\u2019s also a table top sweetener and is used under the name brand Equal\u00ae.<\/p>\n

Sucralose<\/em> is 600 times sweeter than sugar, and is heat stable.Sucralose sweetens a host of foods and beverages, and is also available under the Splenda\u00ae No Calorie Sweetener.<\/p>\n

Stevia is a sweetener derived from the plant, stevia rebaudiana Bertoni<\/em>, to produce stevia leaf extract. It\u2019s 200-300 times sweeter than sugar. This non-caloric sweetener is used as a tabletop sweetener under the brand name Stevia in the Raw\u00ae and Truvia.\u00ae It can be used in a variety of recipes, and is heat stable.<\/p>\n

Acesulfame potassium<\/em> can be used in beverage mixes as well as carbonated drinks. It\u2019s highly heat stable, making it appealing for many types of products. It can be combined with aspartame and sucralose for an improved taste profile. It\u2019s used in beverages, \u00a0a yogurt, ice cream, jams, jellies, baked goods, toothpaste, mouthwash and chewing gum.<\/p>\n

Allulose<\/em> is a low calorie sugar with a clean taste. Since it is absorbed, but not metabolized, it has no effect on blood sugar response.<\/p>\n

Since each sweetener has unique food processing characteristics, LNCS are sometimes used in combination. Food manufacturers will experiment with recipes until they produce a product that is acceptable to consumers and has the taste, texture, and appeal of its higher calorie counterpart.<\/p>\n

History and Safety<\/strong><\/h2>\n