Many Australians have a voracious sweet tooth. Yet most of us are also concerned about our weight. We want our sweets, but without all the extra kilojoules from sugar.
Sugar substitutes are available in many foods. Many diet drinks, sweets, cakes, chewing gum, gelatine, pudding, biscuits, and other food products have removed real sugar from their list of ingredients and added sugar substitutes.
Are artificial sweeteners a better option than sugar? The first artificial sweeteners, cyclamate and saccharin, were not better than sugar. Further research linked the sweeteners with the development of cancer in laboratory animals. Cyclamate was removed from the market. Similar test results with saccharin reduced its product use as well.
Aspartame is a naturally occurring amino acid (protein molecule), which has about 180 times the sweetening power of sugar. Most consumers recognise it by the name "Nutrasweet." It is the most frequently consumed sugar substitute in Australia.
Although the taste of Nutrasweet is well accepted, some people experience side effects that include nausea, burning with urination, and headaches. Infants, children, or adults with phenylketonuria should never consume the product, as it will increase the phenylalanine in their blood to dangerously high levels.
There are a number of commonly used sweeteners available in Australia today. They include aspartame, saccharin, cyclamates and other products used in dry mixes and in chewing gum. The latter is a heat stable product, which is much sweeter than sugar and contains no kilojoules.
As with any food, it is important that we consume sugar substitutes in moderation and only as part of an overall healthy diet.
As there is conflicting data on the effects of sugar substitutes on the unborn foetus or infants, it is advisable not to consume artificial sweeteners during pregnancy and lactation.
Article #6979
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