Sweeteners Facts and Fallacies Sadia Shaukat Sodexo Dietetic Intern 2013 [email protected].

Sweeteners Facts and Fallacies

Sadia Shaukat

Sodexo Dietetic Intern 2013

[email protected]

We are born with a sweet toothTrueFalse

Love of sweet tasteLiking of sweet taste is innate.Perception of sweetness and

preferred level of sweetness varies among individuals.

Even infants shown a response to sweetness.

Sweet receptors found on tongue plays a role in stimulating appetite.

How many teaspoons of sugar does an average American eat and drink everyday?

9131722

Sugars & Health ConcernsConsumption of foods with added

sugars has increased. Added sugars are linked to the

overweight and obesity problems.2010 Dietary Guidelines

indicating 16% of total energy intake is from added sugar.

Food industry developed lower-calorie but just-as-sweet options.

Eating too much sugar can cause Diabetes?

TrueFalse

Types of Sweeteners Nutritive SweetenersSugar Alcohols (Polyols)Non-Nutritive Sweeteners (NNS)

Nutritive SweetenersContain Carbohydrates and

provide energy.Contain 4 calories per gram.Referred as : Sugar, added sugar

or caloric sweeteners.Occurs naturally in all fruits,

vegetables and dairy products.Added to food during processing

or in preparation.

On the food labels, the amount of sugar is listed as grams, What is one gram of sugar?

¼ teaspoon½ teaspoon1 teaspoon1 tablespoon

Added sugar terms on food labelsAnhydrous dextrose Lactose

Brown sugar Malt syrup

Confectioner’s powder sugar Maltose

Corn syrup Maple syrup

Corn syrup solids Molasses

Dextrose Nectars (e.g., peach nectar, pear nectar)

Fructose Pan cake syrup

High-fructose corn syrup Raw sugar

Honey Sucrose

Invert sugar White granulated sugar

Where do added sugars often hide?

Fruit drinksDairy dessertsCerealsAll the above

Sugar Alcohols Decreases the intake of

carbohydrates.Almost provides 2 calories per gram.Calories vary because of digestibility

and metabolism.Usually used in combination with

other polyols or NNS.Examples: sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol

and erythritol.Can be labeled as Sugar-Free

Non-nutritive Sweeteners (NNS)

Ist NNS “saccharin” was discovered in 1879.

NNS have been used for to achieve a sweet taste, for economics, blood glucose control or energy control.

NNS approved for use in the US have been tested and determined to be safe at levels that are within the ADI.

NNS Approved in USAThe seven NNS currently

approved for use in USA are:◦Acesulfame-K (Sweet one, Sunett)◦Aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet)◦Luo han guo ◦Neotame◦Saccharin (SweetN’ Low)◦Stevia (Truvial)◦Sucralose (Splanda)

Guidance on use of NNS2010 Dietary Guidelines “Substituting NNS for higher-energy

foods and beverages can decrease energy intake, but evidence of their effectiveness for weight management is limited”.

National Cancer Institute“ there is no clear evidence that the

NNS available commercially in the USA are associated with cancer risk in human beings” (2009).

Guidance on use of NNSAmerican Diabetes Association“Sugar alcohols & NNS are safe when

consumed within the daily intake levels established by FDA” (2008).◦Recommendation for management of

diabetes include monitoring carbohydrates by counting carbohydrate counting, choices to achieve glycemic control.

◦ Choosing NNS instead of nutritive sweeteners is one method to assist with moderating carbohydrate intake.

Guidance on use of NNSAcademy of Nutrition and

Dietetics“ Consumers can safely enjoy a range of

nutritive and nonnutritive sweeteners when consumed within an eating plan that is guided by federal nutrition recommendations, such as Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the Dietary reference intakes, as well ad individual health goals and personal preference” (2012).

SafetyFDA is in charge for approving

NNS.FDA review products containing

NNS.Establish Acceptable daily Intake

(ADI) based on body weight that is deemed safe over a lifetime.

ADI is set at 1% of the amount that has been found not to produce any adverse health effects in animal studies.

How the various NNS tested?Acesulfame-K has been tested

in animals using amount significantly exceed those anyone could consume and there has been no evidence of tumors or cancer.

Aspartame NCI date showed that incidence of brain tumors started to increase in 1973, before aspartame was available for consumption.

How the various NNS tested?Luo han guo received Generally

Recoginized as safe status from FDA in 2009.

Neotame FDA reveiwed more than 100 studies showing no evidence of health risks or connection to cancer.

Saccharin safety has been discussed for more than 40 years

How the various NNS tested?Stevia Joint Expert Committee

on Food Additives declared it’s safe for general use.

Sucralose was deemed safe based on extensive toxicology studies.

Aspartame ADI ExampleADI for aspartame is 50 mg per

kg of body weight per dayAspartame containing products

Appr. Number of serving per day to reach ADI

Appr. Number of serving per day to reach ADI

Adult (150 lbs) Child (50 lbs)

Carbonated soft drink (12 oz)

20 6

Powdered soft drink(8 oz)

33 11

Gelatin (4 oz)

42 14

Tabletop sweetener(packet)

97 32

Role in weight management

The addition on NNS to diet poses no benefit for weight loss or reduce weight gain without energy restriction (Am J Clin Nutr,2009).

Replacing added sugars with NNS may reduce calorie intake in the short-term, yet the question remain about their effectiveness as a weight management strategy (DGA 2010).

Role in weight management NNS have not been shown to

cause weight gain, craving for sweets, or increased hunger levels. NNS when used in place of full- calorie foods and beverages, help reduce total calories in diet and keep away from feeling deprived from the sweet-tasting foods (J Acad Nutr Diet 2012).

Final Thoughts The Seven FDA approved NNS

are safe when consumed within recommended Acceptable Daily Intake.

Studies showed that the use of NNS does not approach ADI amount.

Including NNS as part of your eating plan may help reduce carbohydrates and calorie intake.

THE CHOICE IS YOURS

Questions???

Sadia ShaukatSodexo Dietetic Intern 2013

[email protected]