What Are the Things That Have Sweet Taste? A Guide to Sweeteners

January 5, 2026 •

2 min read

The sensation of sweetness comes from molecules interacting with taste receptors on the tongue. This guide covers the various things that have sweet taste, including both natural and artificial sweeteners, offering insight into their properties.

Quick Summary

This article explores various items that offer sweet taste, from natural sugars to artificial options, providing a look at the science of sweeteners, their effects, and their uses.

Key Points

Natural Sweeteners: Derived from natural sources such as fruit and honey, these offer sweet taste, along with other nutrients, but contain calories.
Artificial Sweeteners: Lab-created compounds offering intense sweetness with few to no calories.
Sugar Alcohols: Compounds such as xylitol and erythritol provide sweetness with fewer calories and minimal impact on blood sugar levels.
Novel Sweeteners: These sweeteners, like stevia and monk fruit, are derived from plants and offer a calorie-free alternative to sugar.
Sweetness Perception: Sweetness is sensed when molecules connect with taste receptors on the tongue, triggering a signal that the brain interprets as sweet.
Diverse Origins: Sweet-tasting substances come from a variety of sources, including plants, and chemical synthesis, each with unique properties and tastes.

The Biology of Sweetness

Sweetness is detected when specific molecules bind to taste receptors. These receptors, called T1R2 and T1R3, are located on taste buds. When a sweet substance binds to these receptors, it triggers a signal to the brain, which is then perceived as a sweet taste. The intensity of sweetness varies based on the type of molecule and its concentration.

Natural Sweeteners

Natural sweeteners are derived from natural sources and are often found in whole foods. They also bring other nutrients.

Fruits: Fruits contain fructose, a natural sugar that varies in concentration depending on the type.
Honey: A product made by bees, honey's flavor and composition can differ based on the nectar source.
Maple Syrup: This syrup contains minerals and antioxidants, offering a distinct flavor profile.
Coconut Sugar: This is similar to brown sugar but can have a lower glycemic index.

Refined Sweeteners

Refined sweeteners are extracted and processed from natural sources.

Sucrose: Commonly known as table sugar, it is made from sugarcane or sugar beets.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup: This is processed from cornstarch and has a high fructose content.

Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners are synthesized in labs, designed to offer sweet taste with few to no calories.

Aspartame: This is a common artificial sweetener about 200 times sweeter than sugar.
Sucralose: This is about 600 times sweeter than sucrose. It is often used because it is stable under high temperatures.
Stevia: Stevia extracts can be hundreds of times sweeter than sugar. It is extracted from the stevia plant.
Monk Fruit: This is a sweetener that contains mogrosides, which offer sweetness without calories.

Sugar Alcohols

Sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, are carbohydrates that offer a sweet taste and are often used in sugar-free products. They are found naturally in fruits, but are often manufactured.

Xylitol: This is as sweet as sugar and has fewer calories.
Erythritol: Well tolerated and doesn't cause a blood sugar increase.

Sweetener Comparison


Feature	Natural Sweeteners	Artificial Sweeteners	Sugar Alcohols
Source	Plants, fruits, honey	Chemical synthesis	Naturally derived or manufactured
Calories	Contain calories	Low to zero calories	Fewer calories than sugar
Sweetness	Similar to sugar	Significantly sweeter	Less sweet than sugar
Blood Sugar	Can raise blood glucose	No effect on blood glucose	Minimal impact on blood glucose
Additional Nutrients	Can have vitamins and minerals	None	Can contain fiber (e.g., yacon syrup)
Dental Health	Can cause tooth decay	Does not contribute to tooth decay	May help prevent cavities

Conclusion

The range of substances that provide a sweet taste is broad, including both natural and synthetic options. Understanding the differences between these options is important for making informed choices. For additional details on food additives, consider the FDA's resources on food additives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Regulatory bodies like the FDA have approved many artificial sweeteners for consumption. There is no conclusive evidence of health risks associated with their use at typical levels.

While natural sweeteners provide some nutrients, they still contain calories and can affect blood sugar levels similarly to table sugar.

Fructose is the main sugar found in fruits and is responsible for their sweet taste.

Yes, sugar alcohols can cause digestive problems like bloating or diarrhea if consumed in large quantities because they are not fully absorbed by the body.

Artificial sweeteners do not typically raise blood sugar levels, making them a suitable option for those with diabetes.

Some artificial sweeteners are suitable for baking, while others may lose their sweetness at high temperatures. Sucralose is heat-stable and can be used in baking, but aspartame is not.

Both stevia and monk fruit are plant-derived sweeteners that are calorie-free. They come from different plants, and their sweetness is due to different compounds.