A New Generation of Sugar Substitutes

The innovation for tabletop-sweeteners - Stevia extract - the first extract from a natural leave has got the admission through the European Union 1st of December 2011.

Up to now there have been developed a wide range of sweetener-types for tabletop sweetener products. Stevia extract is the first one from a natural leave.

An overview of sugar substitutes, including stevia:

Aspartame

• What is it: Two amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine; and methanol.
• How it's used: Tabletop sweetener, diet soft drinks, sugar-free desserts, yogurt, puddings.
• Advantages: Tastes similar to sugar. Enhances sweet flavors, especially fruit flavors.
• Drawbacks : Should not be consumed by people with phenylketonuria (PKU). Chemical sweetener-type

Saccharin

• What is it: Benzoic sulfinide.
• How it's used: Tabletop sweetener, diet soft drinks, salad dressings, canned fruit.
• Advantages: Less expensive than other artificial sweeteners. Stable at high temperatures, so can be used for baking. Passes through the body unaltered.
• Drawbacks: Chemical sweetener-type

Acesulfame-K, or Ace-K

• What is it? Acetoacetic acid and the mineral potassium.
• How it's used: Usually in gums, confections, cough drops, and carbonated and alcoholic beverages, often in combination with another sweetener. Also sold as Sunett or Sweet One.
• Advantages: Extends shelf life of diet drinks. Can be used for cooking and baking. Not metabolized or absorbed by the body.
• Drawbacks: Government health agencies say it is safe. The CSPI advises avoiding it and has asked the FDA to require more tests. Can taste bitter on its own; better tasting when blended with other sweeteners.

Sucralose

• What is it? A sugar molecule chemically altered by replacing three hydroxyl groups with three atoms of chlorine.
• How it's used: Tabletop sweetener. Also in yogurt, fruit juices, ice cream, dairy products, diet beverages, and flavored waters.
• Advantages: Can be used in baked goods more readily than other artificial sweeteners. No effect on blood sugar levels.
• Drawbacks: Although better suited for baking than other artificial sweeteners, it's still not a perfect substitute for sugar.

Stevia

• What is it: Extract from the stevia plant.
• How it's used: Dietary supplement and tabletop sweetener.
• Advantages: Extracted from a natural plan. Does not affect blood sugar levels. No negative effect on the tees compared to sugar.
• Drawbacks: In combination with some food stuff the extracts may have a slightly bitter aftertaste. The extract from the leaves has to be extracted technically.