Sugar substitute for diet

Sugar substitute for diet or the so-called artificial sweeteners, non-nutritious sugars, or low or no-calorie sugars.

Sugar substitute is believed to aid in weight loss and caloric reduction in the short term rather than in the long term;  Consuming foods and drinks containing sugar substitutes is not as effective as many would expect.

This is due to several reasons, as follows :

• Many sugar substitutes do not stimulate the production of hormones responsible for feelings of fullness, which leads to you eating more calories.
• Sugar substitutes are very sweet, and this can increase some people's preference for sweet food, leading to more sugar.
• Most foods with sugar substitutes are non-nutritious, replacing healthy foods that aid in weight loss.
• The placebo effect of fewer calories in the body causes some people to eat more, thinking they are safe from obesity.
• It is worth noting that there are other opinions indicating that sugar substitutes may cause weight gain, so more studies are still needed to understand their effectiveness.

Benefits of sugar substitute for diet

Benefits of potential sugar substitutes include:

• May be derived from natural substances: Although the sugar substitute is synthetic, it is possible that herbs are the basis of its composition.
• It can be used in many fields: Some types of it are treated like regular sugar and are used in baked goods, sweets and juices.
• Can be used for diabetics: Non-nutritious artificial sweeteners do not cause blood sugar spikes the way regular sugar does.
• Maintains oral and dental health: Sugar substitutes do not stimulate the growth of oral bacteria, nor do they cause the development of cavities in the teeth, as occurs when consuming regular sugar.

Damages of sugar substitute for diet

The Food and Drug Administration approved five types of non-nutritious sugar substitutes, know the most important potential harms to them as follows:

1. Saccharin

 Saccharin has been linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer.

Also, its presence in milk formulas can cause muscle weakness and irritation in children, so it is generally recommended to avoid using it for infants, children, pregnant women, and those with sulfa allergy.

2. Aspartame

It is believed to have a role in increasing the risk of many diseases, including: cancer, depression, and headaches.

It should also be avoided in those with retarded polyuria.

3. Sucralose

Its danger lies in its containment of the carcinogenic chlorine used in insecticides, disinfectants and others.

Sucralose has also been linked to symptoms such as: bloating, gas, diarrhea, skin irritation, heart palpitations, mood swings and more.

4. Acesulfame-K (Acesulfame-K)

It contains the carcinogen methylene chloride, which long-term use causes many symptoms, such as: headache, depression, kidney problems, and visual disturbances.

5. Neotame

There are no studies available to evaluate its safety and chemical composition.

It is similar to aspartame so it can cause health problems similar to aspartame.

Sugar alcohol

Sugar alcohol or nutritious sweeteners provide half the calories that regular sugar provides. They are naturally found in fruits and some types of vegetables, and they are also made in factories where they are added to processed foods.

Sugar alcohol is found in products that are labeled as sugar-free or without added sugar. They can aid in weight loss and do not cause tooth decay.

On the other hand, it can cause gas, bloating, or diarrhea if consumed in large quantities.

Sugar alcohol is a carbohydrate that can raise blood sugar levels, perhaps by the same amount as regular sugar, so use caution when using it in patients with diabetes.

Examples of these sweeteners include:

• Mannitol.
• Maltitol
• Xylitol.
• Erythritol.
• Hydrogenated starch hydrolysates.