Description
Sucralose produced from natural sugar processed to eliminate its carbohydrate, calories, and digestibility properties. The ingredient created to give people a calorie-free choice instead of sugar. By providing an alternative for sweetening food without increasing calorie consumption, sucralose is a healthy alternative to sugar which reduces the risks of diseases like obesity and diabetes.
The production of sucralose involves the replacement of three hydrogen-oxygen groups on a sucrose (table sugar) molecule with chlorine atoms. This process eliminates calories and carbohydrates from the sugar. As such, the body can ingest the sugar without digesting it, since it is devoid of any significant nutritional value.
Over 85% of sucralose that enters the body leaves without getting absorbed. Sucralose can thus be used to stimulate taste buds without increasing calorie intake. Nearly all the sucralose consumed regularly flushed out of the body through urine.
How is Sucralose Used?
Sucralose used as a calorie-free sweetener by many household brand names in canned foods, beverages, syrups, dairy products, chewing gum, and many more. It’s also sold directly as a sweetener. However, it’s important to note that sucralose can be several hundred folds sweeter than table sugar. A minimal amount can yield as much sweetness as multiple-times the same portion of sugar.
It’s also important to note that sucralose-sweetened food might taste slightly different than the same food with sugar due to the slight difference in structure, texture, and sometimes flavour between the two.
The Benefits of Sucralose
Besides providing a means to sweeten food without increasing calorie content, sucralose is also advantageous in many other ways. For starters, it’s highly beneficial for people on weight-loss plans. In a study involving members of the National Weight Control Registry, over 78% of respondents reported having greater control over their calorie intake with sucralose.
Foods and beverages containing sucralose often recommended in place of those with sugar for diabetic patients. Since most of the sucralose consumed enters and exits the body without getting absorbed, it doesn’t raise blood sugar levels.
