Sweeteners and sugar alternatives are crucial in modern food science, offering options for reducing calorie intake and managing blood sugar levels. From like to non-nutritive options like and , these substances provide diverse solutions for food manufacturers and consumers.
Understanding the properties of sweeteners, such as and , is essential for their effective use in food products. Common like and offer intense sweetness with minimal calories, revolutionizing the food industry's approach to sugar reduction.
Types of Sweeteners
Nutritive and Non-Nutritive Sweeteners
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Frontiers | Neuroendocrine and Metabolic Effects of Low-Calorie and Non-Calorie Sweeteners View original
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Frontiers | Bioproduction of the Recombinant Sweet Protein Thaumatin: Current State of the Art ... View original
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Top images from around the web for Nutritive and Non-Nutritive Sweeteners
Frontiers | Bioproduction of the Recombinant Sweet Protein Thaumatin: Current State of the Art ... View original
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Frontiers | Neuroendocrine and Metabolic Effects of Low-Calorie and Non-Calorie Sweeteners View original
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Frontiers | Neuroendocrine and Metabolic Effects of Low-Calorie and Non-Calorie Sweeteners View original
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Frontiers | Bioproduction of the Recombinant Sweet Protein Thaumatin: Current State of the Art ... View original
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Frontiers | Neuroendocrine and Metabolic Effects of Low-Calorie and Non-Calorie Sweeteners View original
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Nutritive sweeteners provide calories and energy to the body (, , )
Non-nutritive sweeteners do not provide significant calories or energy to the body
Commonly used as sugar substitutes in food products to reduce calorie content
Examples include artificial sweeteners (aspartame, sucralose) and (stevia)
Sugar Alcohols and Artificial Sweeteners
Sugar alcohols are a type of nutritive sweetener that have a chemical structure similar to both sugars and alcohols
Provide fewer calories than regular sugar and have a lower glycemic index
Examples include , , and
Artificial sweeteners are synthetic compounds that mimic the sweetness of sugar without providing significant calories
Commonly used in processed foods, beverages, and as table-top sweeteners
Examples include aspartame, sucralose, and saccharin
Stevia as a Natural Non-Nutritive Sweetener
Stevia is a natural, non-nutritive sweetener derived from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant
Contains compounds called steviol glycosides, which are responsible for its sweet taste
Stevia is often used as a sugar substitute in food products and beverages
Has a lower environmental impact compared to some artificial sweeteners
Properties of Sweeteners
Glycemic Index and Blood Sugar Response
Glycemic index (GI) is a measure of how quickly a food raises blood sugar levels after consumption
Foods with a high GI cause a rapid increase in blood sugar, while foods with a low GI have a slower, more gradual effect
Non-nutritive sweeteners generally have a minimal impact on blood sugar levels and a low GI
Useful for individuals with diabetes or those looking to manage their blood sugar levels
Relative Sweetness Compared to Sucrose
Relative sweetness is a measure of how sweet a substance is compared to sucrose (table sugar)
Sucrose has a relative sweetness of 1, and other sweeteners are rated in relation to this value
Non-nutritive sweeteners often have a much higher relative sweetness than sucrose
Aspartame is approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose
Sucralose is approximately 600 times sweeter than sucrose
Stevia can be up to 300 times sweeter than sucrose
The high relative sweetness of non-nutritive sweeteners allows them to be used in smaller quantities to achieve the desired level of sweetness in food products
Common Non-Nutritive Sweeteners
Aspartame
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener composed of two amino acids: aspartic acid and phenylalanine
Approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose
Commonly used in diet sodas, chewing gum, and low-calorie food products
Not suitable for individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU), a rare genetic disorder
Sucralose
Sucralose is an artificial sweetener derived from sucrose through a selective chlorination process
Approximately 600 times sweeter than sucrose
Stable at high temperatures, making it suitable for use in baked goods and other cooked foods
Commonly used in a variety of low-calorie and sugar-free food products and beverages (Splenda)