The world of artificial sweeteners is now a little more crowded. First there was cyclamate, introduced in the 1950s. Then saccharin came along in the early 1970s. In 1981, aspartame (NutraSweet) entered the picture. Seven years later, acesulfame-K (Sunnette) became the newest kid on the block. Now, we have sucralose.

On April 1 of this year, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of sucralose as an artificial sweetener. It is a product of the McNeil Speciality Products Company, which is a division of Johnson & Johnson. It is classified as a low calorie sweetener since it technically has two calories per teaspoon. Because sucralose is made from sugar (sucrose), it retains that sugar-like taste. Some other features of sucralose is that it (a) is about 600 times sweeter than sugar; (b) is not broken down by the body and passes through unabsorbed; (c) has no unpleasant aftertaste; (d) has a long shelf life; and (e) won’t break down under heat.

Like with many artificial products, consumers are understandably curious as to its safety. Twenty years of testing and dozens of studies have shown that sucralose is safe for everyone to consume, including women who are pregnant and lactating. In Canada and Europe, and other parts of the world, sucralose has been used in over 400 food products since 1991. The brand name for sucralose is SPLENDA. The use of sucralose will be allowed in 15 food and beverage categories such as milk products, processed fruit juices, and baked goods. However, foods made with sucralose will not be available in this country for two to three years.

The question remains if sugar free foods have truly helped people cut back on sugar and calories in the diet. Obesity is an ongoing problem in this country and it is questionable if another weapon in the battle of the bulge will be beneficial. While artificial sweeteners are not the solution to obesity, they can be a part of the solution. Most people choose foods with artificial sweeteners to reduce their caloric intake because they are trying to lose weight, maintain a healthy weight, or because of a medical condition such as diabetes. If used wisely, artificial sweeteners can be a wonderful alternative toward establishing a healthful diet.

One drawback of eating foods with artificial sweeteners is these foods may give a person a false sense of security. It is easy to justify eating other high-calorie foods when consuming foods that are sugar free. Even though these foods can fit nicely in a healthful diet, remember that sugar substitutes are no substitute for good eating habits.

Copyright© 1999-2004 Kevin Kelly, LRD. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use prohibited.

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