8
SUNDAY APRIL 14
health
SATISFY YOUR SWEET TOOTH
WITHOUT SUGAR People are looking for sugar alternatives to satisfy their sweet cravings. But which sugar substitutes are better for you? By Tatyana Leonov
PRODUCT
COMES FROM
IS IT SAFE?
Stevia (960) and steviol glycosides (960)
Ice-cream, confectionery and drinks. Can be used for cooking.
Extracted from the leaves of the stevia plant.
Yes, says Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).
Sorbitol (420)
Occurs naturally in some plants. Used in sugar-free products and medicines.
Extracted for use as a food additive through processing of grains such as corn.
A high intake may cause flatulence, stomach cramps and diarrhoea.
Mannitol (421)
Occurs naturally in some plants. Found in jellies, jams, drinks and desserts.
Extracted through processing grains such as wheat, corn and barley.
Can have effects similar to sorbitol.
Xylitol (967)
Occurs naturally in some plants. Used in sugar-free sweets and chewing gum.
Extracted from wood.
Can have effects similar to sorbitol.
Isomalt (953)
Sweet foods such as jams, cakes, biscuits, ice-cream and confectionery.
Manufactured from sugar.
Can have effects similar to sorbitol.
Thaumatin (957)
Sugar-free chewing gum, some dairy products and brewed soft drinks.
A protein derived from the seeds of an intensely sweet African fruit called katemfe.
Has no known side effects and is considered safe at current levels.
Saccharin (954)
Low-calorie foods and drinks. Also used as a tabletop sweetener.
An intense sweetener produced synthetically.
Regarded as safe.
Cyclamate (952)
Tabletop sweetener. Also in drinks, jams and sugar-free chewing gum.
An intense no-calorie sweetener produced synthetically.
Regarded as safe at current usage levels.
Cakes and other dessert items, drinks.
Made synthetically from two amino acids: aspartic acid and alanine.
Regarded as safe at current usage levels.
Aspartame (951)
Drinks, yoghurt, diet foods, lollies. Tabletop sweetener. Can be used in cooking.
Made synthetically from phenylalanine, aspartic acid and methanol.
Safe, says FSANZ, except for those with phenylketonuria (PKU).
Sucralose (955)
Diet drinks, yoghurts and lollies. Tabletop sweetener. Can be used in cooking.
Chemically altered form of sugar that can’t be metabolised by the body.
Safe for everyone.
Acesulphame K (950)
Diet drinks, desserts and as a tabletop sweetener. Not used for cooking.
Made from acetoacetic acid.
Alitame (956)
PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES
FOUND IN
Safe for everyone.
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