There has been some debate about the safety of artificial sweeteners. You can decide for yourself after we give you the details.
If you are living with diabetes, you may think as I once did. Sweet foods are an obstacle to my health. Sometimes, the more you are told you can’t have something, the more you want it.
If you want to keep your blood sugar levels stable, you may want to know more about artificial sweeteners.
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) regulates and approves artificial sweeteners, which are also known as high-intensity sweeteners.
There are currently six artificial sweeteners approved by the FDA, they are:
Saccharin
Saccharin brand names include Sweet and Low®, Sweet ‘N Low®, Sweet Twin®, and Necta Sweet®. It is 200-700 (wide range) times sweeter than table sugar (sucrose) and contains zero calories.
Advantame
Advantame is used in food as a sweetener. It is roughly 20,000 times sweeter than table sugar (sucrose). It has zero calories and, is regulated by the FDA. Furthermore, it is stable in high heat when used in baking.
Neotame
Neotame is approved for use as a sweetener in food. It is sold under the name Newtame® and is roughly 7,000 to 13,000 times sweeter than table sugar. It is heat stable and is used as a sugar substitute in baking.
Sucralose
Sucralose is approved for use in food as a sweetener. It is sold under the brand name Splenda®. Sucralose is about 600 times sweeter than table sugar. Sucralose does not contain calories, however, Splenda does, and the amount is minimal. It is used as a general sweetener and is used in many foods. It is heat stable and is suitable as a sugar substitute in baking.
Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K)
Acesulfame potassium is approved for use in food as a sweetener. It is listed on food labels as acesulfame K, acesulfame potassium, or Ace-K, Acesulfame potassium is sold under the band names Sunett® and Sweet One®. It is approximately 200 times sweeter than table sugar. Furthermore, it is heat stable and can be used in baking.
Aspartame
Aspartame is approved for use in food as a sweetener. This is familiar, and some brand names include NutraSweet®, Equal®, and Sugar Twin®. It contains calories, but you will likely use less than table sugar. It is 200 times sweeter than table sugar. Not only that, but it is not heat stable and looses its sweetness when heated.
Natural Sweeteners
Stevia sweetener is extracted from the stevia plant
Stevia is considered a natural sweetener because it’s derived from the leaves of the stevia plant, rather than being formulated in a laboratory. It is sold under the brand name Truvia® and is 200–300 times sweeter than white sugar. It is heat stable, so can be used in cooking and baking.
Monk fruit sweetener is extracted from monk fruit
This fruit has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) didn’t approve its use as a sweetener until 2010.
The sweetener is created by collecting the juice, which is then dried into a concentrated powder. it gets its intense sweetness from unique antioxidants called mogrosides. Monk fruit sweetener is a natural, zero-calorie sweetener. It is 100–250 times sweeter than table sugar.
Summary
Artificial sweeteners are chemicals used to sweeten foods and beverages. They provide virtually zero calories.
Artificial sweeteners can also help those with diabetes reduce their intake of added sugar.
Diabetics may benefit from choosing artificial sweeteners because they offer a sweet taste without the accompanying rise in blood sugar levels.
The research has not been unanimous; however, the current evidence is generally in favor of artificial sweetener use among those with diabetes.
To stay informed, click here to read the articles about food labels, sugar alcohol, glycemic index, and sugar by other names. If you enjoyed this article join to receive our weekly newsletter and stay informed about diabetes. Join here.
HWB
