Consumers turn to artificial sweeteners to replace the unwanted calories and carbohydrates in sodas, teas and other sweet treats. Anecdotal reports of the dangers of artificial sweeteners exists, as does data to the contrary. These low-carb sweeteners may help you lose weight or cut back on sugar.
Saccharin
Saccharin, an artificial sweetener, accidentally discovered by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, contains no calories and no carbohydrates. It has been used as a sweetener for more than 100 years, but its rise in popularity can be attributed to the sugar shortages which occurred during the two World Wars.
Saccharin, also sold as Sweet-n-Low, has been carefully designed so that 1 tsp. of the sweetener is equal in sweetness to 2 tsp. of sugar. Saccharin is stable for baking and will not lose its sweetness when exposed to high temperatures.
Sucralose
Sucralose is marketed under the name Splenda. Each 1 tsp. serving contains less than 1g of carbohydrates. One of the major benefits of this product is that it is stable when baked, which means the sweetener does not break down and lose its sweetness. Replacing sugar with sucralose is simple. Just substitute cup for cup, no conversions necessary.
Discovered in 1976, the sucralose molecule is derived from sugar. During manufacturing, three atoms of chlorine are substituted for three hydroxyl groups. According to the Calorie Control Council, this patented process removes the caloric value of the sucrose molecule while making it 600 times sweeter than sucrose.
Aspartame
Aspartame, discovered in 1965, is a sweetener used in diet soda, other diet drinks and sugar-free chewing gums. Marketed under the brands NutraSweet or Equal, aspartame is approximately 180 to 200 times sweeter than table sugar. Aspartame contains no carbohydrates.
The University of Maryland notes aspartame does carry the warning that it contains phenylalanine. This warning is directed only at individuals with phenylketonuria, a rare metabolic disease, not for the general public.
Truvia
As Truvia contains no sugar, it is a low-carbohydrate option for sweetening foods and beverages. However, the makers of Truvia contend that the sweetener is far from artificial. Truvia's sweetness comes from the sweet leaves of the stevia plant. This member of the chrysanthemum family is native to South America. Each packet of Truvia sweetener contains 3g of carbohydrates.
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