Today, sweeteners are widely used among consumers with diabetes and obesity. The first sugar substitute was discovered in 1879 by chemist-researcher Konstantin Falberg. In the course of his experiments, he accidentally spilled an unknown chemical compound into his hand. As a result, a crust with a sweet after-taste formed on the chemist's arm. In 1884, Falberg called the resulting compound saccharin and independently organized its mass production.
All sugar substitutes are divided into synthetic and natural. Let's look at the basic properties of sugar substitutes and their effect on human health.
- Natural Sweetener
- Fructose
- Use fructose
- Harm fructose
- Sorbitol
- sorbitol Use
- sorbitol Harm
- Xylitol
- Use xylitol
- Harm xylitol
- Stevia Extract
- extract Use stevia
- Harm stevia extract
- Synthetic sweeteners
- Saccharin
- Use saccharin
- Harm of saccharin
- Aspartame
- Use of aspartame
- Harm of aspartame
- Cyclamate
- Use of cyclamate
- Harm to cyclamate
- Sukrasit
- Usage of sucrasite
- Harm of sucrasite
- Acesulfame potassium
- Potassium acesulfame use
- Potassium ascesulfame harm
- Pros and cons of sugar substitutes
Natural sweeteners
Natural sugar substitutes are made from natural raw materials: berries, vegetables or fruits. These substances consist of carbohydrates, are characterized by a sweet taste and high caloric content. Natural sugar substitutes are absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract more slowly than sugar. Nutritionists recommend that diabetics include natural sugar substitutes in their diet. They do not cause a plentiful release of insulin. To normalize excess body weight, natural sugar substitutes can not be used regularly because of their high caloric value. Natural substitutes for sugar include the following compounds:
- fructose;
- sorbitol;
- xylitol;
- extract of stevia.
Fructose
Fructose is the sweetest natural monosaccharide that concentrates in vegetables, fruits and honey. This monosaccharide is 1.9 times sweeter than sugar.
to table of contents ^Fructose benefits of
Fructose is low in calories and low in glycemic index, so it is often used to normalize excess weight and it is recommended to include people who suffer from diabetes in the menu.
to the table of contents ^Harm of fructose
According to the results of the research, it is fructose that, with its immense use, is debugged in the body in the form of fat, contributing to the development of obesity and various diseases of the organs of the circulatory system.
Safe daily rate: 30 g
to contents ^Sorbitol
Sorbitol belongs to the group of polyhydric alcohols and is found in mountain ash, apricots and apples. It is less sweet than traditional sugar, but it has a high caloric content. It is recommended to include this sugar substitute in the menu for people with diabetes.
to contents ^Use of sorbitol
Sorbitol activates the work of the digestive tract, reduces the consumption of vitamins and restores the intestinal microflora. This sugar substitute is an excellent cholagogue.
to contents ^Harm to sorbitol
With uncontrolled consumption of sorbitol, obesity develops, as well as indigestion, nausea, bloating and severe migraine.
Safe daily rate: 40 g
to contents ^Xylitol
Xylitol is a polyhydric alcohol, which is obtained from the corncobs and cotton husks cores. Xylitol is low in calories, and sweet in its flavor is similar to traditional sugar. Xylitol is widely used as a natural food supplement for obesity and diabetes.
Use of xylitol
This sugar substitute activates metabolic reactions in the body, does not change the blood sugar level, restores the acid-base balance in the oral cavity.
to the table of contents ^Harm to xylitol
With the use of xylitol in an unlimited number, bladder tumor and chronic diarrhea develops.
Safe daily rate: 40 g
to contents ^Stevia extract
Stevia is a herbaceous plant that consists of stevioside, vitamins, essential oils, amino acids, antioxidants and pectins. Stevia is 15 times sweeter than sugar and has a low calorie content.
to table of contents ^Use of stevia extract
Stevia extract can be used for diabetics, people with atherosclerosis, gingivitis, overweight, diseases of the digestive system. The use of Stevia extract is considered an effective preventive agent in many cancers.
Damage to stevia extract
This sugar substitute causes a person's stomach upset and allergic reactions.
Safe daily rate: 40 g.
to the table of contents ^Synthetic sugar substitutes
Synthetic sugar substitutes are distinguished by a high level of sweetness and low calorie. In addition, sugar substitutes of artificial origin are not absorbed by the body's systems and are excreted through the release organs in their original form. With the use of synthetic sugar substitutes it is impossible to lose weight, since their sweet taste produces a strong reflex to further production of carbohydrates. Artificial sug substitutes include toxic compounds. To the group of synthetic sugar substitutes belong such substances:
- saccharin;
- aspartame;
- cyclamate;
- will be dried;
- acesulfame potassium.
Saccharin
The most popular and affordable synthetic sugar substitute is saccharin, which is sweeter than sugar 400 times. Saccharin is produced for consumers in the form of tablets.
to table of contents ^Use of Saccharin
This sugar substitute does not contain calories. The structure of saccharin after its thermal treatment retains its integrity, therefore this sugar substitute is included in the products in the form of a synthetic additive labeled E954.
to contents ^Harm of saccharin
Saccharin is a carcinogen that causes gastrointestinal diseases and bladder tumor.
Safe daily rate: 0.2 g.
to contents ^Aspartame
Aspartame is included in flour products and carbonated beverages. It is indicated on the package as an additive Е951.
to contents ^Use of aspartame
The aspartame sweetener has a very sweet taste and does not contain calories.
to the table of contents ^Harm to aspartame
With systematic use of this sugar substitute, a person develops CNS disorders that manifest as manic depression, insomnia, fits of anger and panic. Aspartame promotes the development of a tumor of the brain and bladder. The aspartame sweetener in humans causes a constant feeling of hunger. It is forbidden to use this sugar substitute for future mothers and children.
Safe daily rate: 3 g.
back to contents ^Cyclamate
Sweetener cyclamate differs sweet taste and zero calorie. The sweetness of cyclamate is 30 times higher than that of sugar. Cyclamate is added to baked goods and sodas. On packaging, cyclamate is designated as additive E952.
to table of contents ^Use of cyclamate
Cyclamate dissolves perfectly and does not destroy its structure during heating.
to table of contents ^Harm to cyclamate
In many countries, the sweetener cyclamate is considered a prohibited product, since it contains carcinogenic compounds. Cyclamate is contraindicated in people with acute kidney failure, expectant mothers and children. With systematic use of cyclamate causes a person allergic reactions.
Safe daily rate: 0,8 g.
to contents ^Sukrasit
Sugary substitute sucrasite is an indispensable component in the food industry, as it is characterized by affordability and economy.
to contents ^Use of sucrasite
One package of sukrazite can replace up to 6 kg of sugar. This sugar substitute is allowed to be consumed by diabetics.
to contents ^Harm of sucrasite
Sukrasite is a toxic compound, since it contains fumaric acid. In Canada, it is forbidden to eat drunk.
Safe daily rate: 0,7g.
to contents ^Acesulfame potassium
This sugar substitute is not digested by the body, and is 200 times sweeter than sugar. Adds acesulfame potassium in carbonated beverages and is labeled on the packaging as E950.
to the table of contents ^Benefits of acesulfame potassium
The sugar substitute acesulfame potassium is hypoallergenic, long stored and characterized by zero caloric value.
to contents ^Harm to acesulfame potassium
This sugar substitute contains dimethyl ether, which disrupts the functions of the cardiovascular system, as well as aspartic acid, which causes disorders of the human CNS.
Safe daily rate: 1g.
to contents ^Pros and cons of sugar substitutes
Today, disputes among dieticians, doctors and scientists about the importance of sweeteners in the life of modern man do not stop. Sweet substitutes in large quantities cause the following changes in the body:
- increase appetite;
- increase body weight;
- promote the development of serious diseases;
- cause poisoning of the body.
At the same time, natural and some synthetic sweeteners help regulate body weight, and are also recommended for use by diabetics.
Nutritionists do not recommend exceeding the daily intake of sugar substitutes.