The Sweet Choice - Sugar Substitute Vs Natural Sweeteners

Sweetener—the common substance in our morning coffee, that tempting piece of cake, and favourite soda. However, with all the awareness rallies about health and fitness, most of us are now starting to take a second look at our intake of sugar. Enter low calorie or zero sugar sweeteners, an apparently perfect solution to indulge in sweetness with no caloric intake. What are these very sugar substitutes, and are they actually as good as they sound? Let’s Learn about them more in depth.

1. Sugar Substitute

Sugar Substitute are sort of like replacement therapy when you are seeking to satisfy your sweet tooth without all the extra calories. These sugar substitutes come in either synthetic or naturally derived forms and are supercharged with sweetness, sometimes hundreds of times the sweetness of regular sugar.

Types of Sweeteners:

Aspartame: Maybe you've come across the stuff in diet sodas or in that sugar- free gum you chew after lunch. Since it is about 200 times sweeter than sugar, you only need a little to get the job done.

Sucralose (Splenda): Sucralose, a true hero in the kitchen, will come into use more notably in case you love baking. It remains sweet even if heated and stands at a multiplier of about 600 times that of sugar.

Saccharin: This one is quite old. It can be found present in those small pink packets, such as Low sweetener, and is 300-400 times sweeter than sugar.

Stevia: If you are in the mood for going natural, Stevia is the way. This sweetener is derived from a Stevia plant, 200-300 times sweeter than sugar, and calorie- free.

2. Why Consider Alternate Sweeteners?

So why do people then turn to alternate sweeteners? Well, the reasons are simple, and yet compelling.

• Weight Management: Let's face it, cutting calories is hard; Sugar Substitute give you the sweetness you crave without adding the extra calories.
• Managing Diabetes: Diabetic individuals need to always keep their blood sugar levels under control. These Alternate sweeteners increase blood sugar levels even less compared to natural sugars, so are most commonly recommended as the better option for consumption in diabetics.
• Better for Dental Health: Sugar can most commonly be a cause for making cavities. The best advantage of artificial sweeteners is they do not lead to cavities like sugar, so your teeth are on a better side in this aspect.
• Versatility: Whether in your mug of morning coffee or your favourite dessert, these sweeteners can work with anything. Be flexible and convenient in your life.

3. Choosing Your Sweeteners: What to Look For

It is not a one-size-fits-all choice between sugar and Substiute sweeteners. The choice depends on your health goals, taste preferences, and the way you use sweeteners in your daily life.

• It is not a one-size-fits-all choice between sugar and Substiute sweeteners. The choice depends on your health goals, taste preferences, and the way you use sweeteners in your daily life.
• Natural Options: If you are a person who believes in taking natural elements as opposed to other synthetics, then the likes of Stevia or monk fruit are excellent. These natural sweeteners offer a sweet taste just like the rest but without any concern.
• Baking and Cooking Uses: If you are the baking kind, this is arguably the best choice for you. Sucralose can withstand plenty of heat, thus making your treats turn just right.
• For Everyday Use: If you just want a little something sweet in your coffee or tea, then alternate sweeteners definitely represent an easy, speedy solution to decrease sugar intake without having to compromise on the sweet factor.

Conclusion

Alternate sweetening is a good way to keep enjoying the sweet taste that you love without adding on extra calories and sugar. These sweeteners have a lot of benefits when it comes to managing weight, controlling blood sugar levels, or just reducing sugar intake. But, as in all things, thoughtful and moderate use is the key.

Published By: Sakshi Sharma (Nutritionist)

References

The truth about artificial sweeteners - Are they good for diabetics?-PubMed (nih.gov)
The role of artificial and natural sweeteners in reducing the consumption of table sugar: A narrative review - PubMed (nih.gov)