Tag: Non caloric sweeteners

Discovered by pure accident in 1879, saccharin became the world's first artificial sweetener, forever changing the way we consume sweet foods. This synthetic sugar substitute, with its calorie-free properties, paved the way for an entire industry dedicated to non-caloric options for dieters and diabetics.

Multiple studies have shown that the vast majority of sucralose, a popular non-caloric sweetener, passes through the human body without being absorbed or broken down. This resistance to the normal digestive process is the primary reason it contains zero calories and begs the question: where does sucralose get digested?

Some natural sweeteners like Stevia can be 200–300 times sweeter than table sugar. This intense potency raises a common question: what is the sweetest natural sweetener, and which options are best for health?

According to Red Bull, the sweeteners sucralose and acesulfame potassium are used in its Sugarfree and Zero versions to provide sweetness without calories. This combination of artificial sweeteners is a common practice in the diet beverage industry to mimic the taste of sugar while significantly reducing the caloric content of the drink.

By law, a product labeled 'zero-calorie' can contain up to four calories per serving, but its intense sweetness means only a minuscule, calorically insignificant amount is used. This brings us to a key question in nutrition: **Which of the following sweeteners provides 0 kcal per serving?** We will explore the types of non-nutritive sweeteners and how they achieve this status.