Sweeteners
Consumers are always looking for a way to reduce sugar or just replace it altogether, and manufacturers are looking to meet this demand while keeping the same sweet taste. This has been found in the form of sweeteners, touted to provide the same level of sweetness without the health drawbacks, but is this really the case? Phoebe Galbraith speaks to Abigail Storms, global head of sweeteners at Tate & Lyle, to find out her insight on the potential health benefits.
Not so sweet O
ften considered the answer to our sugar- cravings, artificial and natural sweeteners are now a staple in much of our foods. However, the history of sweeteners has not always been easy nor originally seen as an answer to our nutritionary needs; up until the 1950s sweeteners were used as a cheaper alternative to sugar. Interestingly, in the wake of this, a storm of studies and negative health claims followed, with the FDA banning saccharin in the 70s due to reports showing bladder cancer in rats. This was eventually proved to be a side effect unique to rats rather than humans, but suspicion and fears around sweeteners remain, nonetheless. Now, with the shift towards sugar reduction and a greater focus on health, much of the dialogue surrounding sweeteners hails it as a benefit for nutrition, as white table sugar is considered one of the main sources for the rise in diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases. According to WHO, this affects
40% of the global adult population as well as millions |of children. Sweeteners have often been seen as a solution to cut back on sugar to the recommended 10% of daily calorie intake while encouraging weight loss and health benefits. It is widely considered safe for those with diabetes to substitute sugar with artificial sweeteners and enjoy their favourites foods without suffering a rise in blood sugar levels, for example, though not all studies have been unanimous and more research needs to be undertaken. “Managing the glycemic response is a well-established benefit of lo-and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) as evidenced by scientific research,” says Abigail Storms, head of sweeteners, Tate & Lyle. “LNCS are recommended by specialist professional associations worldwide, such as American Diabetes Association and World Health Organisation, as a replacement for sugar for people with diabetes to help control their sugar intake and to help manage blood glucose.”
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Ingredients Insight /
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