The amount of glucose in the blood is regulated by the hormone insulin, which is produced by the pancreas and causes fat, liver and muscle tissue to pull glucose out of the blood. People with diabetes either do not make enough insulin or do not properly respond to insulin levels. As a result, diabetics have chronically high blood glucose levels. People with diabetes can keep their blood glucose levels low by minimizing the sugar in their diets and instead using sugar substitutes, such as Sweet'N Low.
Diabetes and Sugar
People who have diabetes often need to limit their sugar intake. Sugar, regardless of whether it comes in the form of frucose, glucose or sucrose, is a simple carbohydrate, which means that it is rapidly broken down into blood glucose. When these sugars are eaten, blood glucose levels rise suddenly, which can be dangerous for people with diabetes.
Sweet'N Low
Sweet'N Low is a sweetener made with saccharin, the Mayo Clinic explains. Saccharin is a non-nutritive sweetener, which means that it contains no nutrients. Non-nutritive sweeteners are designed to produce the sensation of sweetness for the taste buds. They cannot be digested and broken down to form proteins, carbohydrates or fats, which means that they do not add any calories to the diet.
Safety
Sweet'N Low and other artificial sweeteners are safe for diabetics as long as they have been previously approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the American Diabetes Association explains. There has been some speculation that artificial sweeteners can cause cancer or other health problems and may not be safe for diabetics. Additional research, however, has confirmed that these products are safe for consumption.
Considerations
Artificial sweeteners can be added to beverages, such as coffee or tea, to make them sweeter. Sweet'N Low can also be used as a sugar substitute when preparing or baking foods. Baked foods may have less volume or be a different color because Sweet'N Low does not have all of the properties of sugar. In order to prepare foods with Sweet'N Low, it is easier to buy the product in a bulk container instead of in individual packets.
Limitations
Diabetics using Sweet'N Low should note that although Sweet'N Low does not add any carbohydrates or calories to food, it does not eliminate the calories that come from the other components of the dish. This means that although Sweet'N Low can lower the total calories consumed, it does not serve as an excuse to ignore portion sizes.
