Articles
Artificial sweeteners and other sugar substitutes
Sugar alcohols and novel sweeteners
Moderation is key with sugar substitutes
Content
Understanding artificial sweeteners and other sugar substitutes
Natural sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners
Uses for artificial sweeteners
Possible health benefits of artificial sweeteners
Possible health concerns with artificial sweeteners
Novel sweeteners
Sugar alcohols
Uses for sugar alcohols
Possible health benefits of sugar alcohols
Possible health concerns with sugar alcohols
Uses for natural sweeteners
Possible health benefits of natural sweeteners
Possible health concerns with natural sweeteners
Moderation is key
Sugar alcohols
Sugar alcohols (polyols) are carbohydrates that occur naturally in certain fruits and vegetables — although they can also be manufactured. Despite their name, sugar alcohols aren't alcoholic because they don't contain ethanol, which is found in alcoholic beverages.
Sugar alcohols aren't considered intense sweeteners because they aren't sweeter than sugar. In fact, some are less sweet than sugar. As with artificial sweeteners, the FDA regulates the use of sugar alcohols.
Sugar alcohols contain calories. But they're lower in calories than sugar, making them an attractive alternative.
