Artificial Sweeteners: Pros & Cons

Artificial sweeteners, also known as sugar substitutes, are additives that are used to sweeten foods and drinks. These are synthetic alternatives, although certain natural herbs can also be used.

They're often referred to as "intense sweeteners" because they have a taste close to table sugar but are thousands of times sweeter.

While some sweeteners contain calories, the amount required to sweeten products is so small that you consume very few calories. In addition, relative to the amount of sugar you would usually use for sweetness, you only need a fraction of the artificial sweetener.

It can be found in a variety of processed foods, including puddings, dairy products, sweets, soft drinks, baked goods, jams, and a variety of other foods and beverages. It can also be combined with starch-based sweeteners for use. Aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose are some examples.

 Why is there a need to use artificial sweeteners?

 

Sugar replacements can be beneficial to those who are attempting to lose weight. They bring sugar to foods and beverages without consuming many calories. Most of these have absolutely no calories.

Sugar alternatives can help avoid dental deterioration when used in place of sugar. Artificial sweeteners can assist diabetics in lowering their sugar consumption. However, further research on the effects of artificial sweeteners in different populations is needed.

 Artificial sweeteners are unlikely to boost the chances of developing metabolic syndrome. Substituting artificially sweetened beverages for sugary drinks can lower your risk of developing a variety of medical conditions.

Artificial sweeteners are commonly regarded as healthy to use by humans. To ensure that they are safe to eat and drink, they are thoroughly checked and supervised by US and foreign authorities.

Artificial sweeteners, in general, face few risks and can also be beneficial to weight loss, blood sugar management, and dental health.

 

How are artificial sweeteners different in calories wise from natural sweeteners?

Artificial sweeteners or other sugar supplements can be used if you're trying to cut down on sugar and calories in your diet. 

Sugar and other natural sweeteners add calories to our bodies, which can be used for energy or processed as fat. Artificial sweeteners are either broken down into a series of compounds or not broken down at all, and do not contain calories.

1. Sucralose, also known as Splenda, is a sugar substitute that quickly passes through the body and does not accumulate in body fat. A little goes a long way and it's 600 times sweeter than butter. Saccharin, also known as Sweet'N Low, is a bit more contentious; in 1978, a study discovered a connection between the sweetener and bladder cancer in rats, and it was considered unhealthy. 

2. Stevia, which is approximately 300 times sweeter than sugar and comes from the Stevia rebaudiana plant, has been hailed as the newest and healthiest artificial sweetener. That must be a good herb! It has no calories and, as compared to sugar, will result in lower glucose and insulin levels during meals.

Safe is one thing, but most people use artificial sweeteners rather than natural sweeteners to cut down on their calorie intake.

Where does the sweetness of an artificial sweetener come from?

 

Plant extracts can be used to make artificial sweeteners, or chemical synthesis can be used to make artificial sweeteners. Sugar alcohols like erythritol, xylitol, and sorbitol come from sugar. Sucralose was the most widely used sugar substitute in the food and beverage industry in 2017, accounting for 30% of the global demand, which was expected to reach $2.8 billion by 2021.

Sucralose, the world's most common artificial sweetener, is a chlorinated sugar that is 600 times sweeter than sugar. Three chlorine atoms substitute three hydroxyl groups in sucrose to create it. It's in drinks, frozen snacks, chewing gum, baked goods, and a variety of other items.

Artificial sweeteners taste sweet because the tongue's sugar receptors accept them. Since your body can't break them down, they have almost no calories.

 

Effect of artificial sweeteners on the Pancreas

When artificial sweeteners (AS) are consumed, the pancreas releases insulin, which is mistaken for glucose (due to its sweet taste). Insulin levels in the blood rise, resulting in reduced receptor activity as a result of insulin resistance.

Sucralose helps to raise insulin levels by activating mouth receptors. However, there are few high-quality human studies, and it's unknown if other artificial sweeteners have comparable impacts.

Check out a video on its effects on the pancreas

 Pros and cons of artificial sweeteners

 Pros

1. Natural substances may be used to make artificial sweeteners: While an artificial sweetener is a sugar substitute made from synthetic ingredients, it can also be made from naturally occurring compounds in our atmosphere. Herbs and even sugar plants themselves can be used to make these products.

 

2. Artificial sweeteners can be used in virtually any food: Many packaged foods contain artificial sweeteners because they behave in the same way as sugar does during the baking, canning, or packaging process. Candies, baked goods, frozen fruits, preserves, jellies, and a variety of dairy products include them.

 

3. This sugar substitute will assist people in maintaining a healthy weight: Even if you eat large quantities of artificial sweeteners, they contain almost no calories. When you equate this benefit to the 16 calories per teaspoon you get from a sugar-containing food, you can easily reduce the amount of sugar you ingest on a daily basis by making this one shift.

 

4. It is an effective medication for diabetics to use: It's important to remember that artificial sweeteners aren't carbs. These ingredients, unlike standard sugar, do not normally increase blood sugar levels when consumed. If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, speak to your doctor about this product and other options that will help you meet your long-term health goals.

 

5. Artificial sweeteners can help to improve oral health: Sugar intake contributes significantly to the growth of tooth loss, cavities, and other oral health problems. It is possible to reduce the negative effects that your food and drinking habits may have over time by eliminating the sweetener that encourages bacterial growth and plaque along the gum line.

 

Cons

1. Artificial sweeteners don't add weight or volume to the dish: There are a variety of artificial sweeteners available for home use. Any of them can also be used in cooking and baking events. Artificial sweeteners, unlike natural sugar, have no volume or bulk, so certain recipes will need to be tweaked.

 

2. These products can leave a sour taste in your mouth: Any artificial sweeteners may include a sugar substitute that enhances the flavor of foods or drinks, but others may leave a sour aftertaste when consumed. For certain people, the taste is particularly bad, so you will need to use a mixture of artificial sweeteners or switch to a new substance to meet your calorie targets.

 

3. Some people are worried that artificial sweeteners will damage their health: During the 1970s, animal experiments indicated the long-term use of artificial sweeteners was linked to an increased risk of cancer. To defend goods, several nations went so far as to outlaw most of the drugs on the market at the time. From then and today, items like saccharin have a warning mark on them to alert people that they might be harmful. Because of this older study, some households still reject artificial sweeteners.

 

4. When you use artificial sweeteners, you are simply replacing chemicals with sugar: According to the Lehigh Valley Health Network, the sugar in artificial sweetener-containing products is a compound rather than a natural substance. According to certain doctors, this increases the likelihood of illness, like cancer, and can induce neurological disorders or lift cholesterol levels by altering the liver's ability to absorb fats. Several studies have also shown that using an artificial sweetener on a daily basis will increase the cravings for other sweet foods.

 

5. Some products can clump together in the intestines: Since the majority of chemical sweeteners are not derived from natural sources, the human body isn't always sure what to do with them. Your desired product can begin to accumulate inside the gastrointestinal tract at times. When this problem arises, you can see that a number of bothersome symptoms emerge quickly.

The pros and cons of artificial sweeteners are important considerations that each buyer must make for themselves and their families. If you're unsure what the right choice for your food preferences is, a consultation with your primary care physician will hopefully shed more light on how you can begin to take control of your health and well-being practices.

Safety aspects of artificial sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners are commonly regarded as healthy to consume by humans. To ensure that they are safe to eat and drink, they are thoroughly checked and supervised by US and international authorities.

Artificial sweeteners are usually healthy in small amounts, according to numerous reports, including for pregnant women. As a result, the saccharin warning label was removed.

 

Who can eat and who should avoid artificial sweeteners?

It's difficult to say if artificial sweeteners can cause long-term health issues if consumed during pregnancy or childhood. None of the manufacturers suggest you shouldn't eat them, but none of them have long-term research to back up their claims.

Numerous studies have shown that high-sugar diets have harmful health effects on children. Many steps are being taken to reduce the amount of sugar consumed by children. As a result, many parents are resorting to chemically sweetened foods and drinks to satisfy their children's sweet tooth.

 

Lists of popular artificial sweeteners brands in India

 

1. Sweetherb Stevia liquid drops (Brand: arishtha pharmaceuticals). Buy on Amazon

2. Wisdom Natural Stevia Sweetener (Brand: Sweetleaf). Buy on Amazon

3. Natures Velvet Lifecare Stevia Leaf Powder. Buy on Amazon

4. Sugar-free Natura Sweetener (Brand: Sugar-Free) Buy on Amazon

5. Truvia Calories-Free Sweetener from The Stevia Leaf. Buy on Amazon

6. Erythritol Organic Pure Sweetener Powder. Buy on Amazon

7. Splenda No Calorie Sweetener. Buy on Amazon

8. So Sweet Stevia Sweetener. Buy on Amazon 

9. Stellar Stevia Sweetener. Buy on Amazon 

10. Stellar Gold Sweetener. Buy on Amazon

 

Artificial sweeteners are sugar replacements, which are sweeteners that are used instead of regular table sugar. Artificial sweeteners, in general, pose little danger and may even be beneficial to weight loss, blood sugar control, and dental health. When used to reduce the amount of added sugar in your diet, these sweeteners are very healthy.

 

Say no to sugar and embrace a healthier lifestyle with the many artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes on the market in India. With the list of the finest sugar substitutes, you may sweeten your drink or dessert without worrying about calories or carbs.