Alternatives for sugar

More and more people are taking sugar out of their diet and are taking light products. About a third of people, men and women alike, use some kind of sweetener. Sugar replacements don’t give extra calories like sugar. Also their are not so bad for your teeth. But remember that too much sweetener is also not good, just like with sugar.

There are two kinds of sweeteners: intensive and extensive. Intensive sweeteners are sweeter than sugar, whilst extensive sweeteners are less sweet than sugar. The intensive sweeteners form the base for artificial sweeteners. Of this group of artificial sweeteners with a great sweetening power are aspartame and saccharin. Of the group of extensive sweeteners the most well known sugaralcohols are xylitol and sorbitol. These substances taste far less sweet than sugar. They are primarily used in chewing gum, candies and products for diabetics.

Aspartame

Aspartame are made up out of amino acids and does not have a bitter aftertaste. It contains as many calories as sugar, but it is 200 times more sweet than sugar. Aspartame contains a so called methyl from which the body can produce a toxin. If this toxin can make you sick has not been proven yet. What has been proved is that big quantities of aspartame are not completely safe. You can also not heat up aspartame.

Saccharin

Saccharin has a bitter aftertaste. If taken in large quantities, it can be carcinogenic. Saccharin contains no calories and it tastes 300 to 500 times more sweet than sugar.

Cyclamate

Cyclamate also has a bitter aftertaste. It is 30 times more sweet than sugar and delivers no energy. Cyclamate is harmful in large quantities. You can heat up this sweetener.

Acesulfame-K

Acesulfame-K tastes just like sugar and has no bitter aftertaste. This sweetener is often used in combination with other sweeteners. It is a 150 to 200 times more sweet than sugar and contains no calories.

Sorbitol

Sorbitol is found in some kinds of fruit. It is often used in pastries, preserves and jellies. This sweetener holds 2,4 calories per gram. It tastes less sweet than sugar.

Xylitol

Xylitol is made from birch wood. It is found in toothpaste, chewing gum and other natural products. Xylitol helps to fight cavities in the teeth, because it kills bacteria in the mouth. Be careful though, consuming too much (40 grams or more) xylitol can works as a laxative.

Fructose

Fructose is absorbed slower by the body than glucose or sucrose. It can be used by diabetics after consultation with a dietician. Fructose tastes sweeter than glucose.

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