Tag: Diet sweeteners

A recent study showed that taste perception of non-nutritive sweeteners varies widely among individuals, influenced by genetics and tastebud sensitivity. While both are sweet, the flavor profile of stevia is distinctively different from that of regular table sugar.

According to the FDA, sugar alcohols provide fewer calories per gram than regular sugar because they are not completely absorbed by the body. This incomplete absorption is the key to understanding the nuanced answer to the question: do sugar alcohols count as calories?.

According to the NHS, some sweeteners known as polyols (e.g., sorbitol, xylitol) can have a laxative effect if consumed in large quantities. This common but often surprising digestive side effect is a direct result of how these sugar substitutes are processed by the body.

Saccharin, the first commercially produced low-calorie sweetener, has been in use in the UK since sugar shortages during World War I. Today, it remains a permitted food additive, but its usage is subject to stringent regulations to ensure consumer safety.

Most people automatically associate a sweet taste with sugar, but science confirms this isn't always the case. In reality, numerous compounds can activate our taste receptors to create the perception of sweetness, meaning not all sweet things are sugar.

While the active sweetener sucralose has zero calories, a standard 1-gram packet of Splenda contains approximately 3.36 calories. This counterintuitive fact stems from the addition of carbohydrates like maltodextrin and dextrose to provide bulk, as the pure sucralose is so potent that only a tiny amount is needed.

Monkfruit is a naturally derived sweetener that has gained immense popularity among those following a ketogenic diet. This zero-calorie, zero-carbohydrate sugar alternative comes from the lo han guo, a small, melon-like fruit native to Southeast Asia.

According to the American Diabetes Association, sugar alcohols are acceptable in a moderate amount but should not be eaten in excess. While sugar-free gum offers dental benefits, many wonder: are sugar alcohols in gum bad for you?

According to research from the Paleo Foundation, despite its negative reputation in some keto circles, maltitol was included in the Keto Certified standards in 2020, but not all sources agree. This divergence of opinion highlights why simply seeing the 'sugar-free' label on See's candy isn't enough to determine its keto-friendliness.

Maltitol is a carbohydrate found naturally in small amounts in some fruits and vegetables, chicory leaves, and roasted malt. However, the product commercially used in foods and beverages is manufactured through a chemical process, leading to confusion about its classification as either natural or artificial.