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Artificial sweeteners are low-calorie compounds that are used as substitutes for natural sugar (sucrose).
- Natural sweeteners such as sucrose and fructose add sweetness to a substance.
- They include calories, which can be dangerous to humans if consumed in excess.
- Artificial sweeteners have fewer calories than natural sweeteners.
- They are also known as intense sweeteners because they are much sweeter than regular sweeteners.
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Key Terms: Sucrose, Fructose, Aspartame, Artificial sweeteners, Saccharin, Sweetening Agents, Honey, Sugar, G-protein, Saccharin, Carbohydrates, Diabetes
Sweetening Agents
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An artificial sweetener or sweetening agent is a sugar substitute, sometimes known as a food additive, that has a sweet flavor similar to sugar.
- There are artificial sweeteners that require dextrose or maltodextrin as they cut off the excessive sweetness present in the artificial sweeteners.
- However, these sweeteners are substitutes for the sugar that is produced synthetically.
- But they can also be formed using natural substances like sugar or herbs.
- To reduce the calories of our regular intake, artificial sweetener is one such attractive option.
- It can be used in the processes of foods directly like candy, jams, beverages, dairy products, baked goods, soft drinks, and puddings.
- It can also be mixed with starch-based sweeteners.
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How Do Artificial Sweeteners Work?
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The working of sweetening agents requires them to get completely dissolved in the water and to form a bond with the receptor molecule.
- This receptor molecule can be found on the surface of the tongue.
- The receptor is in fact connected to a G- protein.
- When the sweetener binds to the receptor, the G- protein begins to dissociate.
- This activates a nearby enzyme and initiates a sequence of actions.
- Due to this the signals are transmitted to and processed by the brain.
- The sweetness of an artificial sweetening agent is caused by the interaction between the receptor and the sweetener.
Common Artificial Sweetener
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Some of the common artificial sweeteners are discussed below.
Saccharin
This is one of the oldest sweeteners that is not nutritive and was discovered in 1879.
- It has an aftertaste that is bitter and is also 300 times sweeter than that of sucrose.
- However, one cannot use saccharin for baking purposes as it becomes unstable at higher temperatures.
- It is used in sweetening toothpaste, candies, and drinks.
Aspartame
It was discovered back in 1879 and was noted that sucrose tends to be 200 times less sweet than that of aspartame.
- The chemical name of the compound is aspartyl phenylalanine-1-methyl ester and is a dipeptide methyl ester.
- It is also called a tabletop sweetener.
- However, it can also not be used in higher temperatures or for baking purposes as it loses its sweetness after breaking down into amino acids.
- It can be used in many varieties of food like cold foods and soft drinks as it is unstable at cooking temperature.
Advantages of Artificial Sweeteners
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Some advantages of Artificial Sweeteners are:
Diabetes
People who have been diagnosed with diabetes can intake artificial sweeteners to eradicate their sweet cravings without any increase in sugar levels as these artificial sweeteners do not have any carbohydrates.
Weight Control
People who are on a strict diet can start taking artificial sweeteners because, unlike sugar, they do not have any calories.
- A single gram of sugar has 4 calories.
- It means if a person intakes a teaspoon of sugar which is around 4 grams of sugar, he/she consumes 16 calories.
- Therefore, artificial sweeteners are the best option to consider for weight loss
Health Advantages and Disadvantages of Natural Sweeteners
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Natural sweeteners are also known as added sugars because they are added to the food while processing and have many uses in processed foods and at home.
Advantages of Natural Sweeteners
Natural sugar substitutes can be healthier than sugar.
- Their vitamin and mineral composition, however, is not much different.
- Consider that both honey and sugar are nutritionally similar.
- Both of them would be converted into glucose and fructose by your body.
- Therefore, it is fine to consume a natural sweetener based on its flavor rather than its health claims.
- However, be sure to use any sort of added sweetener sparingly.
Disadvantages of Natural Sweeteners
Natural sweeteners are generally harmless, but consuming too much sugar can be harmful.
- Consuming too much sugar, even if it is a natural sweetener, can lead to a variety of health effects.
- Such effects are weight gain, poor nutrition, tooth decay, and increased triglyceride levels.
- Honey should also not be given to children under the age of one year.
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Things to Remember
- Artificial sugars are used instead of fructose and sucrose.
- They have low calories and are good for diabetics.
- They are widely used in processed foods.
- Aspartame and saccharin cannot be used for baking or cooking purposes as they are unstable in higher temperatures.
- The nutritional value of both natural sugar and sucrose is the same.
- Artificial sweeteners are a good source to reduce weight.
- Natural sugar and sucrose break down into fructose and glucose.
Sample Questions
Ques. Why do we consider artificial sweeteners as harmful? (2 Marks)
Ans. Artificial sweeteners are always a subject of debate as they do have some adverse effects on the health of an individual and some good effects. They are responsible for making a person prone to cancer, affecting the blood sugar levels of an individual, and intestinal health. On the other side, they can be used to decrease the consumption of sugar and can be used to lose weight according to most health officials.
Ques. Which artificial sweetener is considered the least harmful? (2 Marks)
Ans. The artificial sweeteners that have a few caveats are considered the least harmful. These include neotame, xylitol, erythritol, and stevia leaf extracts that come under the category of healthiest and the easiest sugar alternatives of the sugar. However, if erythritol is taken in larger doses that are more than 10-12 teaspoons or 40-50 grams, then this sugar alcohol can be responsible for nausea.
Ques. Can inflammation be caused by aspartame? (2 Marks)
Ans. Yes, aspartame can be a reason for aspartame in the human body as compounds like aspartame and mono-sodium cannot be processed effectively by the human body and can develop an immune response. Aspartame is usually a neurotoxin that is most likely to be attacked by the body and therefore causes inflammation.
Ques. Mention the healthiest substitute for sugar. (2 Marks)
Ans. The order of the healthiest substitute of the sugar that is available is stevia the healthiest, followed by xylitol, which is further followed by erythritol, and yacon syrup. Compared to normal sugar, natural sugars are considered healthier. These natural sugars include honey, maple syrup, and molasses.
Ques. Why do we need artificial sweeteners? (3 Marks)
Ans. There are various reasons to use artificial sweeteners as they have no food value and are sweet. They also do not digest and pass through the digestive tract directly. Apart from this, they act as a blessing for patients who are diabetic so that the amount of sugar does not increase in their body and they can satisfy their sugar cravings. However, these sweeteners do not hold any nutritional value.
Ques. Does aspartame cause any harmful effects on the human body? (3 Marks)
Ans. Aspartame does not cause any harmful effects on the human body except for people who have PKU or phenylketonuria. Individuals with this specific disease are the ones who should not consume aspartame as phenylketonuria is a genetic condition due to which the human body cannot break down many amino acids including aspartame.
Ques. Explain artificial sweeteners and name some examples. (2 Marks)
Ans. The substitutes for sucrose or natural sugars that have lower calories are called artificial sweeteners. But these artificial sweeteners are sweeter than natural sugars as they consist of intense sweeteners. Examples of artificial sweeteners include saccharin two commonly used artificial sweeteners that are found in processed foods.
Ques. What are artificial sweeteners? (2 Marks)
Ans. An artificial sweetener or sweetening agent is a sugar replacement, sometimes known as a food additive, that has a sweet flavor similar to sugar. It does, however, contain significantly less food energy than sugar-based sweeteners, making it a zero-calorie or low-calorie sweetener.
Ques. What are artificial sweetening agents? (2 Marks)
Ans. Artificial sweetening agents are chemicals that sweeten food. They do not provide more calories to our bodies. They are not harmful to our bodies. Aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, and alitame are a few examples.
Ques. What is the most common artificial sweetener? (2 Marks)
Ans. Aspartame is a low-calorie sugar replacement that is commonly used. It's composed of two amino acids: aspartic acid and phenylalanine. It is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is present in hundreds of processed foods and drinks.
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