Sugars and artificial sweeteners are commonly added to a wide range of foods including desserts, beverages and preserved goods. Most artificial sweeteners are many times sweeter than sugars and products derived from sugars. Because the chemical composition of sugars and artificial sweeteners are different, recipes typically need to be altered when using one in place of the other.
Types
Sweeteners can be divided into two main types, caloric, or nutritive sweeteners, and noncaloric, or nonnutritive sweeteners. Caloric sweeteners can be processed or unprocessed but ultimately are based on one or more types of sugar. Caloric sweeteners have calories and carbohydrates. Noncaloric sweeteners are chemically produced and designed to be calorie-free alternatives to sugar-based sweeteners.
Purpose
Sweeteners are primarily used to provide sweetness to foods, but they also serve other purposes. Sugars and sweeteners based on sugars can add bulk to baked goods. They may also act as a preservative in food. Artificial sweeteners are designed to be calorie-free and to pass through the body without altering blood glucose levels, providing alternative options for dieters and diabetics.
Caloric Sweeteners
One of the most familiar caloric sweeteners is table sugar, a refined product made from the sucrose of sugar cane or sugar beets. These plants can also be used to produce powdered sugar, brown sugar, molasses and turbinado sugar. Corn syrup is a combination of the sugars maltose, dextrose and glucose derived from corn. Fructose is a type of sugar found in fruit, and lactose is the sugar in milk. Honey, a sweetener produced by bees, contains a combination of the sugars glucose and fructose. Maple syrup, from maple trees, contains fructose, sucrose and glucose. All sugars are carbohydrates, the main source of energy in the body.
Artificial Sweeteners
Aspartame, which is 220 times sweeter than table sugar, is composed of the amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Saccharine, which is 200 to 700 times sweeter than sugar, is another common artificial sweetener. Sucralose is made from sugar that has been artificially altered and is 600 times sweeter than sugar. The FDA regulates artificial sweeteners and considers them to be food additives that must be approved before being allowed on the market.
Health Effects
Because caloric sweeteners provide calories, they can contribute to obesity when consumed in large amounts. Tooth decay is another problem frequently resulting from caloric sweeteners. Sugars can also cause a sudden rise in blood glucose levels, which can be dangerous for diabetics. Artificial sweeteners are generally considered safe, but some people may experience mild gastrointestinal side effects. People sometimes notice an aftertaste when using artificial sweeteners or products created using artificial sweeteners.
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