People today are extremely concerned about their health and displaying a great deal of concern for their quality of life. The majority of people are becoming obese as a result of eating too many calories and saturated fats. Globally, obesity has gained attention. Research indicates that the majority of people suffer from obesity and its negative effects on their health, including type II diabetes. Diversification of social-economic factors, such as lifestyle and eating habits, has been blamed for the alarming prevalence of obesity. Since the 1970s, when the obesity epidemic began, responsibility for sugar intake has been taken into account. These days, regulating blood glucose or sugar levels is the ultimate goal of diabetes.
Non-sugar sweeteners (NSSs) have gained popularity in place of simple sugars due to consumers' increased interest in lowering the amount of table sugar in foods. There are two types of sweeteners: nutritive and non-nutritive. Sugars, modified sugars, sugar alcohols, and natural caloric sweeteners are other categories for nutritional sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners and natural non-caloric sweeteners are included in the category of non-nutritive sweeteners (NSSs). Non-nutritive sweeteners (NSSs) have a noticeable sweetness, yet they don't add calories.
Although there are many manufactured non-nutritive sweeteners (NSSs), there is a growing amount of research and development being done on natural NSSs. In addition to their taste characteristics, non-nutritive sweeteners (NSSs) differ from sugars in terms of physiological functions and metabolic rate. Compared to sucrose ( Table sugar), non-nutritive sweeteners (NSSs) are sweeter and have fewer calories. According to Mortensen (2006), each of these sweeteners has a unique sweetness, intensity and persistence. The term "artificial sweeteners" is sometimes used interchangeably with non-nutritive sweeteners (NSSs). Non-nutritive sweeteners, or artificial sweeteners, are sugar substitutes that are several times sweeter than regular sugar. In this review, we employ NSSs as artificial sweeteners.
These food additives have no calories and provide a sweet flavor similar to that of sugar without consuming any food. Plant extracts or safe chemicals are used to create non-nutritive sweeteners, sometimes known as artificial sweeteners. These sugar replacements are widely used in processed foods, including baked goods, canned goods, soft drinks, powdered drinks, carbonated beverages, dairy products, jams, and jellies. Aspartame, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, saccharin, cyclamate, neotame, alitame, unusual sugars, xylitol, and D-allose are examples of artificial sweeteners found in processed foods.
Types of Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial low-calorie sweeteners include:
- Saccharin (Sweet' N Low, Sugar Twin): It works well in both hot and cold dishes. If you are pregnant or nursing, stay away from this sweetener.
- Aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet): It works well in both warm and cold dishes. High temperatures may cause it to lose part of its taste. This sweetener is not recommended for those with phenylketonuria.
- Ace-K, also known as acesulfame potassium (Sweet One, Swiss Sweet, Sunett): It can be used in baking and cooking as well as in cold and hot dishes.
- Sucralose (splenda): It can be used in baking, cooking, and both hot and cold dishes. A lot of processed foods include it.
- Advantame: Chewing gum, sweets, frostings, frozen desserts, gelatine and puddings, jams and jellies, processed fruits and fruit juices, toppings, syrups, baked products, soft drinks, and other non-alcoholic beverages can all contain advantame.
Health Benefits:
Artificial sweeteners do not increase the sugar levels in blood. These sugar substitutes have no calories. As these artificial sweeteners do not increase calories in the body, they help people to control their calories, especially when they are trying to lose a few kilos, but find it difficult to keep off sweets.
Long-Term Effect of Artificial Sweeteners on Metabolic Health:
In order to address conditions like diabetes and obesity, artificial sweeteners are commonly employed as low-calorie sugar substitutes. However, recent studies suggest that their effects on health may be more complex than previously believed. Obesity has been associated with a higher likelihood for heart disease, metabolic disorders, some cancers, and, somewhat surprisingly, weight gain, poor pregnancy outcomes, and potential risks for those with low seizure thresholds.
Artificially sweetened beverages have been linked in studies like the Women's Health Initiative to a higher risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and death, regardless of known risk factors. Concerns about gut health are also raised by the fact that certain substances, such as saccharin, have been linked to inflammatory bowel diseases, dysbiosis, increased intestinal permeability, and changes in the gut ecosystem.
Metabolic issues such as insulin resistance, decreased glucose tolerance, and increased systemic inflammation can be brought on by these disorders. By reducing the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids, which are necessary for insulin sensitivity, these disruptions also aid in the development of metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes mellitus. Given these potential health risks, this study emphasizes the necessity of cautious use, informed consumer choices, and stringent regulatory oversight. It also emphasizes the necessity of more study to elucidate long-term health effects and develop risk-reduction strategies.
Aspartame has an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 50 mg/kg body weight per day in the US and 40 mg/kg in the EU, whereas saccharin has an ADI of 5 mg/kg body weight. Surprisingly, ASs can cause weight gain even while they help people regulate their weight. Sucralose, which changes gut flora and may cause problems with glucose metabolism and insulin resistance; aspartame, which is linked to neurotoxicity and cancer risks, particularly for people with phenylketonuria; and saccharin, which is linked to disruption of the gut microbiota and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Concerns regarding cancer risk and metabolic disturbance are brought up by acesulfame-K. Additionally, by changing the expression of glucose transporters and the sensitivity of insulin receptors, ASs such as sucralose and aspartame can interfere with insulin signalling, resulting in hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance.
Regulatory agencies such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have expressed concerns over genotoxicity and the possible effects of sweeteners like acesulfame-K on gut flora and cancer risk. In order to make better dietary decisions, consumers and medical professionals need to stay aware about these health hazards.
Effects of artificial sweeteners on gut microbiota and gastrointestinal health:
Because sugar consumption is linked to an increase in obesity and metabolic problems, artificial sweeteners have become a popular substitute for conventional sweeteners. The safety and health impacts of artificial sweeteners are still up for debate despite their widespread use, and there is conflicting information regarding their long-term effects.
Current research on the effects of artificial sweeteners on gut flora and gastrointestinal health is summarized in this review. Our examination of clinical trials, animal models, and in vitro studies shows that artificial sweeteners can change the makeup and quantity of gut microorganisms. These alterations raise questions about how they can impact gut health in general and aggravate gastrointestinal conditions.
Artificial sweeteners have also been demonstrated to affect gut bacterial metabolite synthesis, which has an additional effect on systemic health. The results imply that the effects of artificial sweeteners on gut flora may be complicated and occasionally conflicting. Some research shows negative impacts on metabolic processes and microbial balance, while others point to possible advantages including weight management and calorie restriction. The contradictory findings highlight the need for more investigation to fully comprehend the physiological effects of different artificial sweeteners on human health. In order to elucidate these links and provide evidence-based recommendations for the safe use of artificial sweeteners in diet management, future research should strive for long-term, well monitored studies.
An alternative to sugar to reduce obesity
Regional differences exist in the public's adoption of high-intensity sweeteners. While demand for high-intensity sweeteners is still high in Asia, consumption increase is minimal in North America and Europe [18]. In general, consumers' doubts about the safety of artificial additives have grown. Naturally occurring unusual sugars and sweet extracts from plants like monk fruit and stevia have emerged as appealing substitutes.
The dried fruit is used to make monk fruit (luo han guo) sweetener (Siraitia grosvenorii), which is sold by a number of vendors under various brand names. Notably, dextrose, which is 200–300 times sweeter than table sugar, is added to supply volume to monk fruit extract in the Monk Fruit In the Raw. Although adding dextrose won't change the flavour, it will increase calorie intake and raise blood sugar levels, particularly in diabetics.
The plant based product called Moderate Sugar Slayer, helps in reduction of post meal sugar spikes and helps improve sensitivity when consumed regularly. It is a safe and effective product which has been tested in various clinical trials. One tablet before a carb or sugar rich meal is advised.
CONCLUSION
The most common diseases like diabetes, obesity and heart attacks are increasing in people every year. Increase in sugar intake through processed food, sweets and soft drinks made people have more concern on their good health. As a result, artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes are gaining more importance. Many countries use these sugar substitutes in various processed foods and alcoholic beverages. The United States of America and European countries (including the UK) have approved six low-calorie artificial sweeteners as sugar substitutes after extensive scientific research. A great number of various sugar alternatives have been created, and ongoing research calls for creating safer and calorie-free artificial sweeteners from industrial food waste. However there are few studies that show that some of the artificial sweeteners may be harmful when taken regularly for long periods of time.
| *** This Article is Written by Vaishnavi Patil, MSc in Food Science and Nutrition. |
