Sugar substitutes: Health controversy over perceived benefits

Abstract

Sugar is an inseparable part of the food we consume. But too much sugar is not ideal for our teeth and waistline. There have been some controversial suggestions that excessive sugar may play an important role in certain degenerative diseases. So artificial sweeteners or artificially sweetened products continue to attract consumers. A sugar substitute (artificial sweetener) is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, but usually has less food energy. Besides its benefits, animal studies have convincingly proven that artificial sweeteners cause weight gain, brain tumors, bladder cancer and many other health hazards. Some kind of health related side effects including carcinogenicity are also noted in humans. A large number of studies have been carried out on these substances with conclusions ranging from “safe under all conditions” to “unsafe at any dose”. Scientists are divided in their views on the issue of artificial sweetener safety. In scientific as well as in lay publications, supporting studies are often widely referenced while the opposing results are de-emphasized or dismissed. So this review aims to explore the health controversy over perceived benefits of sugar substitutes.

Introductory Chapter: Introduction to Food Additives

“…Other requirements for sugar substitutes include weight loss, dental care, and reactive hypoglycemia. In addition, using sugar substitutes is cost effective since the sugar substitutes are many times (sometimes more than 100 or even 1000 times) sweeter than sucrose [52]. A list of sweeteners frequently used in food manufacturing is stated below [5,53].…”

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“…Aspartame is very much popular owing to its reduced costs, low caloric intake, attractive advertisements and assurance to contribute in weight management. The popularity of aspartame among consumers lies down within the problems associated with sucrose consumption [2]. In diabetic individuals difficulty in regulating their blood sugar levels restrict the consumption of normal sugar.…”

Study on the effects of varying concentrations of xylitol on the weight, and blood glucose, and cholesterol levels of Mus musculus L. (ICR mice)

“…These substitutes claim to be better as these have lesser calories compared to regular sugar and that they neither increase nor decrease blood sugar levels significantly. [8,9] Although these substitutes may prevent the adverse effects of sugar, many studies also prove that some may not be a better substitute to regular sugar, specifically there are some adverse effects that xylitol may bring.…”

“…[11] Although it looks and tastes like table sugar, it has 40% lesser calories because the body cannot fully break down and only absorb 50% of xylitol. [8,9] This means that it intake will not increase the blood sugar and production of insulin. [12] When xylitol is ingested, it is barely absorbed by the small intestine by passive diffusion, while most of it is transferred to the large intestine.…”