Why is sweetener better than sugar

Sucralose, also known as Splenda, passes through the body easily and does not build up in body fat. It's also times sweeter than sugar, so a little goes a long way. Saccharin, or Sweet'N Low, is a little more controversial; saccharin was deemed unsafe after a study in found a connection between the sweetener and bladder cancer in rats.

But subsequent studies have found no clear correlation between saccharin and cancer in humans, since we process it differently than rats do. Go figure. More recent research suggests it could even help inhibit cancer cell growth Even though the National Cancer Institute says it's safe for consumption , the times-sweeter-than-sugar sweetener hasn't been as popular since the whole late-'70s debacle.

Stevia, which is about times sweeter than sugar, has been touted as the latest, healthiest artificial sweetener because it comes from the Stevia rebaudiana plant. A plant, that must be good! It has zero calories, and Dr.

Kumar says it can result in lower glucose and insulin levels after meals than sugar. But overall, the hype could be more marketing than scientific fact; while Rebaudioside A, also known as stevia extract, has been deemed generally recognized as safe by the FDA , pure stevia has not been given the same stamp of approval. Overall, artificial sweeteners are generally all on the same playing field anyway.

Kumar explains. Whether swapping sugar for a sweetener is truly healthy is harder to answer. Certainly, eating low-sugar, low-calorie products is no guarantee that you will stay fit and slim. They are not a replacement for a healthy diet. Many are synthetic, but some sweeteners may be made from naturally occurring substances. Stevia-based sweeteners are made from the leaves of a plant.

By law, food or drink products must be clearly labelled and list on the packaging whether they contain low-calorie sweeteners, allowing consumers to make choices when they buy. Reducing the calories you get from sugar can help with weight loss. How much weight you will lose, however, depends on your overall diet and how much exercise you are getting, as well as your genetic make-up and metabolism.

Dr Stacey Lockyer, from the British Nutrition Foundation, says switching to artificially sweetened, low-sugar foods and drinks might help some dieters. Artificial sweeteners are closely regulated and have passed the necessary checks to be used in foods. Food ingredient manufacturers have to provide evidence showing that their sweetener:. The European Food Safety Authority sets an acceptable daily intake, which is the maximum amount considered safe to consume each day over the course of your lifetime.

Using the sweetener aspartame as an example, an "average" adult weighing 70kg; 11 stone could drink up to 14 cans of a sugar-free fizzy drink or use 40 teaspoons of the sweetener in their tea or coffee each day without exceeding the limit. For a child weighing 23kg , the equivalent maximum is four cans of drink and 13 teaspoons of sweetener.

In fact, consuming high amounts of natural sugars or sugar substitutes over the long term could increase cravings for sweets and may contribute to issues like weight gain and type 2 diabetes 22 , 23 , The harmful effects of sugar depend completely on the context. Most of the related studies were conducted in people who were already eating a diet high in carbs and processed foods.

For these people, especially those with overweight or insulin resistance, large amounts of sugar can be especially harmful Healthy people can eat sugar in small amounts without any harm. While sugar still provides calories without much nutritional value and may cause cavities, small amounts of these natural sugars can be included in a well-rounded diet.

Choosing nutritious, naturally sweet options like fruit and nut butter is a good choice when craving something sweet. Yet, fearing or avoiding foods that are high in sugar may cause you to fixate on that one food, increasing cravings and desire. Artificial sweeteners like aspartame have received a lot of negative publicity.

This article examines the facts to determine whether they are good or…. Artificial sweeteners may provide sugar and calorie-free sweetness, but their health effects are controversial.

This article explores if artificial…. Many people believe that artificial sweeteners can drive weight gain, despite being low in calories. This article takes a look at the evidence. There's a big difference between the stevia sweetener you buy at the grocery store and the raw product. Here's what you need to know. This site uses cookies to help us understand how visitors engage with our website.

By using Consumer NZ, you accept our use of cookies. Sorry, you need to have JavaScript enabled to use our website. Visit enable-javascript. Or visit our Technical support page to find out how JavaScript is used on Consumer. Research report. However, there are still some unanswered questions about these ingredients. Better health? Cutting back Dietitians New Zealand spokesperson Helen Gibbs said intense sweeteners offer an option for people looking to limit their sugar intake.

Types of sweeteners Twelve sweeteners are approved for use in New Zealand. Natural intense sweeteners Monk fruit extract luo han guo : Derived from the Siraitia grosvenorii fruit, monk fruit extract is the new sweetener on the block.

Other sweeteners Sugar alcohols : Sugar alcohols include erythritol, isomalt, lactitol, mannitol, sorbitol and xylitol. Compare sweeteners How much is too much? For an adult, five percent is about 25g or six teaspoons. Children should eat less than this.

Six ways to cut sugar Here are six tips for cutting back on the sweet stuff. Check the ingredients list: Common aliases for sugar include fructose, glucose, corn sugar, dextrose, honey, lactose, maltose and sucrose. Reduce added sugar gradually: Over time, your taste buds will be trained to enjoy less sugar. Watch what you drink: Soft drinks, juices and sports drinks are major contributors of sugar, and can quickly rack up extra kilojoules.

Water should be your go-to most of the time. Use spices: Adding cinnamon, ginger or nutmeg can add flavour and help you reduce the amount of sugar you use. Choose healthier options: Sugary treats such as confectionery, sugary cereals and muesli bars should only be eaten occasionally.