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Understanding Sweeteners

A variety of different carbohydrates are commonly used to sweeten foods, such as sucrose, fructose, glucose, maltose, isomaltulose, and fructooligosaccharide (FOS). Some of these sweeteners are naturally occurring (such as honey and molasses), whereas others are available in highly processed formulations (high fructose corn syrup.) In addition to the nutritive sweeteners, there are also noncaloric (artificial) sweeteners, sugar alcohols, and stevia. It is difficult for patients to discern which sweetener is best for their health, and this is particularly important for those with diabetes, who are encouraged to decrease their carbohydrate intake.

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Featured

 Sugar and sweeteners

Sweeteners are prolific in the American food system, found in everything from candy to crackers to soups and salad dressings.

 The Best and Worst Sweeteners, According to an RD

Dates, honey maple syrup, and coconut sugar are your best sugar alternatives. The occasional use of stevia and monk fruit are also good options. The worst sweeteners include artificial sweeteners like sucralose, saccharin, and aspartame, high fructose corn syrup, agave, and brown rice syrup. It’s best to avoid these sweeteners, if possible.

 You Asked: What's the Healthiest Sweetener?

You’ve heard sugar is bad news. But what about all those low-cal or no-cal substitutes? And organic honey! That has to be healthier, right?

Articles of Interest

Added Sugars: Don't Get Sabotaged By Sweeteners

Dietary guidelines call for limiting added sugars to 10% of daily calories. See where added sugars are hiding and how to cut back.

Are ‘Natural’ Sweeteners Healthier Than Sugar?

If you’re looking to improve nutrition and cut your sugar intake, you may have considered alternative natural sweeteners. But there’s a lot to keep in mind when choosing these sweeteners. “Natural sweeteners have become more appealing than sugar because they are less processed and may contain more nutrients and provide healthy benefits,” says University Hospitals registered dietitian Elizabeth Traxler, RD, LD.

Facts About Sugar and Sugar Substitutes

Everywhere you look, people seem to be touting the benefits of a sugar-free diet. But not all sugar is created equal, and no one approach is the best for every person’s goals and preferences. Here are some key facts on sugar, sugar substitutes and sugar-free diets.

Nutritive and Non-Nutritive Sweeteners

Nutritive sweeteners, also known as caloric sweeteners or sugars, provide energy in the form of carbohydrates. Nonnutritive sweeteners, also called sugar substitutes or artificial sweeteners, are alternatives that contain zero or very low amounts of carbohydrates or energy.

Resources

5 Natural Sweeteners That Are Good for Your Health

Reducing your intake of refined sugar can be tough, but given how incredibly harmful sugar can be, it’s definitely worth the effort. Fortunately, quite a few sweeteners found in nature are actually healthy. They’re low in calories, low in fructose, and taste very sweet.

International Sweeteners Association

The aim of ISA is to promote the introduction and development of safe, low/no calorie sweeteners, as well as their use in foods, beverages and table-top sweeteners.

ADM

With the industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of sweeteners and sweetening solutions—and an unparalleled reputation for reliability and quality—ADM offers a vast and ever-expanding array of sweeteners, complementary ingredients and solutions, allowing you to optimize taste, mouthfeel, aroma, appearance and cost while providing the perfect balance of sweetness.