ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS AND SUGAR SUBSTITUTES

 

Artificial sweeteners are low-calorie sugar substitutes that do not alter blood sugar levels. They are used to sweeten beverages and food and as such they are useful to both dieters and diabetics. Because they are so much sweeter than table sugar only very small amounts are needed to produce the same level of sweetness.

 

The benefit of artificial sweeteners is that they can allow dieters and diabetics a greater choice and variability in what they can eat and drink. However beware of the common catch – just because a product is labelled sugar-free doesn’t mean that it is fat free!!

 

Aspartame and Saccharin

 

Two of the most well known and commonly used artificial sweeteners are Aspartame and Saccharin but there is ongoing controversy over their safety, especially in long term use.

 

Aspartame, about 200 times sweeter than sugar, was discovered by accident in 1965 and was introduced to the market place in the 1980’s. Common trade names or brand names include NutraSweet ® and Equal ® and it is also widely found in the soft drink market eg Diet Coke ®.

 

Aspartame does not taste quite the same as sugar and it’s sweetness has a slower onset and longer duration than that of sugar. Aspartame also cannot be stored on the shelf for long periods of time and, because it is not heat stable, it cannot be used for cooking and baking.

 

Headaches are one of the most common and frequently complained about side effects of Aspartame, followed by reports of mood swings, dizziness, anxiety, memory loss and even seizures. Their have been numerous studies that have implicated Aspartame in the development of various cancers, but this is still awaiting conclusive evidence.

 

Saccharin is about 300 times sweeter than sugar and is one of the oldest artificial sweeteners on the market. It was accidentally discovered in 1879 and put into commercial production, but it really gained popularity during the sugar rationing in World War 1.

 

Today Saccharin can be found in table sweeteners such as Sweet’N Low ® and soft drinks such as Tab ®. One of the problems with Saccharin as a sweetener is that it has a bitter, metallic aftertaste which many consumers do not like. Eczema, itchiness and skin rashes are the most frequently reported side effects of Saccharin use.

 

Concerns about the safety of Saccharin have been around since the 1970’s when it was implicated in the development of bladder cancer in rats. While this hasn’t been conclusively proven in humans, there is still much debate about possible cancer side-effects linked to Saccharin.

 

Advantage - the healthier alternative

 

With the jury still out on the safety of Aspartame and Saccharin isn’t it good to know that there is an alternative? Advantage is a non-nutritive sweetener, 20 times sweeter than sugar, and does not contain either of these two ingredients and therefore does not carry the same risks. The ingredients of Advantage have been certified safe for human consumption by the FDA.

 

Advantage is not metabolised by the body, so it is a very useful sugar replacement for Diabetics as it will not alter blood sugar levels. It also has a long shelf life, is safe for your teeth and, as it is heat stable, it is suitable for use in cooking and baking. Another major benefit of Advantage is that it has absolutely no aftertaste. Advantage is safe for children and adults and can be used in hot and cold beverages, as well as for cooking and baking, making it easy to give yourself and your family a healthy treat! Advantage is 20 times sweeter than sugar, so a little goes a long, long way!

 

With so many advantages, why not switch to Advantage and take advantage of the sweetness without the sugar!

 

Please note that Advantage is only available to customers in South Africa and other African countries and is not available outside Africa. 

 

How Do I Order?

 

 

 

 

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