KRISLY N. BUTAC, MAED-SCIENCE
A REFLECTION ON ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS AND SUGAR REPLACER
Artificial sweeteners are commonly popular as an alternative to sugars. It has
become an important part of everyday life. An increased usage of this products is very
popular nowadays. Be it in a variety of dietary product or even medical products. They are
believed to provide fewer calories and far more intense sweetness than sugar-containing
products so people with health issues tend to use them more than the common sugars. It
also claimed to promote weight loss and deemed safe for consumption by people who are
diabetics. However, there is inconclusive evidence to support most of their uses and some
recent studies even hint that these earlier established benefits regarding artificial
sweeteners might not be true and that these products may lead to different diseases such
as heart attack and stroke. Health agencies have clarified that sugar substitutes do not
cause serious health problems.
Artificial sweeteners are widely used every day and have become a comforting food
for people who aims to limit their sugar intake. In a variety of food, cosmetic, and dietary
products and so, eliminating their daily use will be one of the impossible things right now.
However, it should also be taken note that the use of this products should be accompanied
with caution in certain high-risk individuals such as pregnant and lactating women,
diabetics, migraine, and epilepsy patients, and children. Since there is a rise in the incidence
of obesity and diabetes worldwide, health awareness and adopting “healthier” diets in the
quest to quell metabolic disorders and diseases are increasing which results to the
appreciation of man to this product. These artificial sweeteners and sugar replacer are
believed to suppress hunger and appetite, leading to beneficial effect on body weight and
cardiometabolic profile and are consumed by both lean and obese alike. A huge number of
diabetic patients too opt for these “sugar-free” sweeteners as a substitute for sugar in their
diet. They are generally considered safe for consumption.
Artificial sweeteners when consumed in daily acceptable limit can help in limiting
carbohydrate and energy intake as a tool to manage weight or blood glucose. Energy
allowance should be calculated by the dieticians for each individual consumer based on
age, sex, nutritional status, and physical activity. They are used by obese and lean, diabetics
and nondiabetics, adults and children alike and extensive marketing and increased health
awareness have led to their widespread use. They provide greater food choices to people
looking to cut down calories and improve the palatability of food. If you replace added sugar
with sugar substitutes, it could lower your risk of getting tooth decay and cavities. Sugar
substitutes also don't raise the level of sugar in the blood. For adults and children with
overweight or obesity, sugar substitutes also might help manage weight in the short term.
That's because sugar substitutes often are low in calories or have no calories.
In general, it is safest to take in small amounts of sugar substitutes. And it's best to
use sugar substitutes for a short time, or just occasionally. Artificial sweeteners can be a
short-term way to help some people lessen their use of sugar and lose or manage weight.
In general, sugar substitutes are safe for healthy adults. But artificial sweeteners can help
some people enjoy sweetness without excess calories. And if used in moderation, artificial
sweeteners can be part of a healthy diet.