The Natural Sweeteners in Clean Simple Eats
Clean Simple Eats (CSE) has built a brand reputation on using high-quality, natural ingredients in its protein powders and other supplements. When it comes to flavor, the company avoids artificial sweeteners and added sugars, opting instead for a synergistic blend of three natural, low-glycemic alternatives: Stevia, Monk Fruit, and Xylitol. This intentional combination is crucial for achieving the desired level of sweetness while mitigating any undesirable flavor notes that can come from using just one type of natural sweetener.
A Blend of Stevia, Monk Fruit, and Xylitol
To understand the flavor profile of CSE products, one must look at each of these components individually and as a whole. The company explicitly states its use of a blend to achieve the perfect balance.
- Stevia Leaf Extract (98% pure): Extracted from the stevia leaf, this is a calorie-free sweetener that is hundreds of times sweeter than table sugar. CSE specifically uses a high-purity (98%) extract to minimize the bitter aftertaste sometimes associated with lower-quality stevia products. The brand's use of a very pure extract allows for concentrated sweetness with minimal impact on the overall flavor.
- Monk Fruit Extract (20%): Also known as lo han guo, this extract comes from a small, round fruit native to Southeast Asia. Monk fruit is naturally sweet and calorie-free, with a much sweeter taste than sugar. It is often combined with other sweeteners to round out the flavor profile. CSE's protein powder ingredient lists confirm the inclusion of monk fruit extract. The company also makes a point to note that its monk fruit is not blended with erythritol, a common practice that CSE avoids.
- Xylitol (from Birch): Xylitol is a sugar alcohol found naturally in many fruits and vegetables. CSE specifies that its xylitol is derived from birch trees, a higher-quality source compared to corn-derived alternatives. Xylitol adds sweetness and a pleasant mouthfeel, mimicking sugar more closely than other alternatives. However, it is important to note that sugar alcohols can cause digestive discomfort in some individuals, particularly in high amounts.
The Strategic Reason for Using a Blend
The choice to use multiple sweeteners is a strategic one rooted in chemistry and flavor science. While single sweeteners like pure Stevia or Monk Fruit are effective, they can sometimes leave a lingering, bitter, or unusual aftertaste. By blending them, Clean Simple Eats capitalizes on the strengths of each ingredient:
- Stevia provides powerful, calorie-free sweetness.
- Monk Fruit offers a clean, non-bitter sweetness to balance the stevia.
- Xylitol contributes body and texture, making the flavor profile more rounded and less thin.
This blend ensures a more balanced, sugar-like taste experience that customers genuinely enjoy, avoiding the common aftertaste pitfalls of many other supplement products.
Comparison of Sweeteners Used by Clean Simple Eats
| Feature | Stevia Leaf Extract | Monk Fruit Extract | Birch Xylitol |
|---|---|---|---|
| Source | Stevia leaf | Monk fruit | Birch trees |
| Calories | Zero-calorie | Zero-calorie | Low-calorie (sugar alcohol) |
| Glycemic Impact | Zero | Zero | Low |
| Sweetness Level | Very high (hundreds of times sweeter than sugar) | High (hundreds of times sweeter than sugar) | Similar to sugar |
| Taste Profile | Potent sweetness, can have a mild aftertaste at high concentrations | Clean sweetness, no bitter aftertaste | Clean, sugar-like taste, adds bulk and texture |
| Key Benefit | Powerful sweetness from a natural source | Balances other sweeteners, no bitterness | Adds body and a familiar taste, low glycemic impact |
Why Clean Simple Eats Avoids Artificial Sweeteners
For Clean Simple Eats, using natural, plant-based sweeteners is a key part of their brand identity. The company avoids artificial sweeteners like sucralose and aspartame, which are prevalent in many conventional protein powders. The primary reasons for this choice are:
- Consumer Preference for Natural Ingredients: Many health-conscious consumers prefer products with ingredients they can recognize and trust.
- Addressing Health Concerns: While approved by regulatory bodies, some artificial sweeteners have been associated with consumer concerns regarding potential health effects and their impact on gut health.
- No Unnecessary Fillers: CSE's commitment to clean ingredients means avoiding any additives perceived as unnecessary, synthetic, or non-beneficial.
Potential Considerations for Consumers
While the sweeteners used are natural, it is important for consumers to be aware of how their bodies might react to them. For example, xylitol is a sugar alcohol, and excessive consumption can lead to digestive issues like bloating or gas in some people. The company uses digestive enzymes in their protein powders, which helps with overall digestion, but personal sensitivity should always be considered. Additionally, some users have noted a sensitivity to the stevia taste, finding it strong in certain flavors. As with any food product, individual taste preferences and sensitivities can vary.
Conclusion
Clean Simple Eats uses a specific blend of three natural sweeteners—Stevia leaf extract, Monk fruit extract, and birch-derived Xylitol—to flavor its products. This combination allows the brand to achieve a clean, balanced taste profile that avoids the bitterness sometimes associated with single natural sweeteners and steers clear of artificial additives. For consumers prioritizing natural ingredients and a cleaner nutrition label, the sweeteners used by Clean Simple Eats offer a transparent and thoughtfully chosen alternative. The use of multiple sweeteners is a strategic and effective approach that addresses the taste and ingredient concerns of health-focused buyers. Learn more about CSE's ingredient philosophy on their official blog.
