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Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov Series V: Economic Sciences • Vol. 7 (56) No. 1 - 2014

ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS VERSUS NATURAL SWEETENERS

N. A. NEACŞU1 A. MADAR1

Abstract: Carbohydrates are an important dietary nutrient which is mostly used to supply energy to the body, as well as a carbon source for synthesis of other needed chemicals. In addition, mono- and disaccharides are craved because of their sweetness. We present different types of sweeteners, which are the basic contents of which we consume every day and are demonstrated the positive and negative effects of natural and artificial sweeteners.

Key words: artificial, carbohydrates, natural, sweeteners.

1. Introduction 2. Natural sweeteners

Natural sweeteners exist or are produced If you have wandered into a natural by nature, without added chemicals or store lately, you might have noticed that fancy machinery. The only that are the selection of sweeteners seems to have optimal to eat are wild, non-hybridized, multiplied. Powders, syrups, and liquids seeded fruits, and the natural sugars and with exotic-sounding names catch your in living vegetables, trees, seeds, eye, each claiming to be tastier, healthier, nuts, and roots. The following are or more environmentally-friendly than considered natural sweeteners: maple plain old table . syrup, honey, , molasses, coconut Sugarcane is a tropical grass that has sugar, date sugar, agave nectar and been cultivated by humans for thousands [4]. of years. Making what we know as table Artificial sweeteners, which are also sugar from sugar-cane can range from a called sugar substitutes, alternative relatively simple to a multistep process, sweeteners, or non-sugar sweeteners, are and the final result varies, depending on substances used to replace sugar in foods the specific steps in the process. Light and and beverages. They can be divided into dark brown, powdered, and granulated two large groups: nutritive sweeteners, white sugars are all highly refined, while which add some energy value (calories) to others, like those listed below, are made food; and non-nutritive sweeteners, which with fewer steps on the processing chain. are also called high-intensity sweeteners Fewer steps benefit the environment, because they are used in very small because less processing means less quantities, adding no energy value to environmental impact. It also means that food1. more of the and minerals that naturally occur in sugarcane remain in the

1 Dept. of Economic Sciences and Business Administration, Transilvania University of Braşov. 60 Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov • Series V • Vol. 7 (56) No. 1 - 2014 end product. All of these sugarcane them in a centrifuge to remove impurities sweeteners can be found in the baking aisle and surface molasses. Turbinado is lighter in and/or bulk bins of natural foods stores. color and contains less molasses than both • Blackstrap molasses, unlike other rapadura and sucanat. sugarcane sweeteners, contains significant • Evaporated cane juice is essentially a amounts of vitamins and minerals. “First” finer, lighter-colored version of turbinado molasses is left over when sugarcane juice sugar. Still less refined than table sugar, it is boiled, cooled, and removed of its also contains some trace nutrients (that crystals. If this product is boiled again, the regular sugar does not), including result is called second molasses. B2. In Europe, it’s known as “unrefined Blackstrap molasses is made from the third sugar [6]. Natural sweeteners are flooding boiling of the sugar syrup and is the most the market these days. Here’s a rundown of nutritious molasses, containing substantial some of the most common ones that are amounts of , , not made from sugarcane. , and iron. When buying, • Agave nectar is produced from the consider choosing organic blackstrap juice of the core of the agave, a succulent molasses, as are more likely to plant native to Mexico. Far from a whole be concentrated due to the production of food, agave juice is extracted, filtered, molasses [5]. heated and hydrolyzed into agave syrup. • Rapadura is the Portuguese name for Vegans often use agave as a honey unrefined dried sugarcane juice. Probably substitute, although it’s even sweeter and a the least refined of all sugarcane products, little thinner than honey. It contains trace rapadura is made simply by cooking juice amounts of iron, calcium, potassium and that has been pressed from sugarcane until magnesium. Agave nectar syrup is it is very concentrated, and then drying and available in the baking aisle at most natural granulating it or, traditionally, pouring it foods stores. The fructose content of agave into a mold to dry in brick form, which is syrup is much higher than that of high then shaved. Because the only thing that fructose corn syrup, which is of concern has been removed from the original since some research has linked high sugarcane juice is the water, rapadura fructose intake to weight gain (especially contains all of the vitamins and minerals around the abdominal area), high that are normally found in sugarcane juice, triglycerides, heart disease and insulin namely iron. resistance. High fructose corn syrup • Sucanat stands for sugar-cane- contains 55% fructose while agave nectar natural, and is very similar to rapadura. It syrup contains 90%. Despite this, it has a is made by mechanically extracting low glycemic index because of its low sugarcane juice, which is then heated and glucose content [7]. cooled until tiny brown (thanks to the • Brown rice syrup is made when molasses content) crystals form. It contains cooked rice is cultured with enzymes, less sucrose than table sugar (88 percent which break down the in the rice. and 99 percent, respectively). The resulting liquid is cooked down to a • Turbinado sugar is often confused with thick syrup, which is about half as sweet as sucanat, but the two are different. After the white sugar and has a mild butterscotch sugarcane is pressed to extract the juice, the . It is composed of about 50% juice is then boiled, cooled, and allowed to complex carbohydrates, which break down crystallize into granules. Next, these granules more slowly in the bloodstream than are refined to a light tan color by washing simple carbohydrates, resulting in a less N.A.NEACŞU et al: Artificial Sweeteners versus Natural Sweeteners 61 dramatic spike in blood glucose levels. It’s and beverages. Artificial sweeteners are worth noting that the name “brown rice also popular for home use. Some can even syrup” describes the color of the syrup, not be used in baking or cooking. Certain the rice it’s made from, which is white. recipes may need modification, though, • Honey, made by bees from the nectar because artificial sweeteners provide no of flowers, is a ready-made sweetener that bulk or volume, as does sugar [2]. contains traces of nutrients. There are five artificial sweeteners that • Maple syrup comes from the sap of have been tested and approved by the U.S. maple trees, which is collected, filtered, Food and Drug Administration (FDA): and boiled down to an extremely sweet (also called syrup with a distinctive flavor. It contains acesulfame K), , , fewer calories and a higher concentration , . These sweeteners are of minerals (like manganese and zinc) than used by food companies to make diet honey. You can find it in bulk in some drinks, baked goods, frozen desserts, natural foods stores, but don’t be fooled by candy, light yogurt, and chewing gum. fake maple syrups, which are cheaper and You can buy them to use as table top more readily available at the grocery store. sweeteners. Add them to coffee, tea, or "Maple-flavored syrups" are imitations of sprinkle them on top of fruit. Some are real maple syrup. To easily tell the also available in “granular” versions which difference, read the ingredients list on the can be used in cooking and baking [8]. nutrition label. True maple syrup contains Types of artificial sweeteners: nothing but “maple syrup.” Imitation • Aspartame syrups are primarily made of high fructose The familiar blue packet in the sugar corn syrup, sugar, and/or artificial substitutes bowl usually contains sweeteners, and contain 3 percent maple aspartame. With no saccharin-like syrup (or less). aftertaste, Equal has become one of the most popular brands. 3. The artificial sweeteners There are four calories per packet. • Sucralose Artificial sweeteners are synthetic sugar Sucralose is an artificial sweetener. The substitutes but may be derived from majority of ingested sucralose is not broken naturally occurring substances, including down by the body, so it is noncaloric. In the herbs or sugar itself. Artificial sweeteners , it is also known under the are also known as intense sweeteners E955. Sucralose is approximately because they are many times sweeter than 600 times as sweet as sucrose (table sugar), regular sugar. twice as sweet as saccharin, and three times Artificial sweeteners are attractive as sweet as aspartame. It is stable under heat alternatives to sugar because they add and over a broad range of pH conditions. virtually no calories to your diet. In Therefore, it can be used in baking or in addition, you need only a fraction products that require a longer shelf life. The compared with the amount of sugar you commercial success of sucralose-based would normally use for sweetness. products stems from its favorable Artificial sweeteners are widely used in comparison to other low-calorie sweeteners processed foods, including baked goods, in terms of taste, stability, and safety. soft drinks, powdered drink mixes, candy, Common brand names of sucralose-based puddings, canned foods, jams and jellies, sweeteners are Splenda, Sukrana, dairy products, and scores of other foods SucraPlus, Candys, Cukren and Nevella [9]. 62 Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov • Series V • Vol. 7 (56) No. 1 - 2014

• Saccharin ingredient in many foods and drinks. These Saccharin is an artificial sweetener. The sweeteners don't cause cavities, and basic substance, benzoic sulfilimine, has therefore, they're widely considered a effectively no and is much better option than natural sugar. Sugar sweeter than sucrose, but has a bitter or alcohols, on the other hand, contain the metallic aftertaste, especially at high same amount of calories as natural sugar, concentrations. It is used to sweeten and they're commonly used in chewing products such as drinks, candies, cookies, gums, candies and throat lozenges. medicines, and toothpaste [10]. Nevertheless, they still cause fewer dental • Neotame problems than regular sugar Neotame is an artificial sweetener made The use of artificial sweeteners has by NutraSweet that is between 7,000 and become controversial due to the health 13,000 times as sweet as sucrose (table effects that are experienced by people who sugar). In the European Union, it is known consume them. The fact that artificial by the E number E961. It is moderately sweeteners are made of chemicals does not heat-stable, extremely potent, rapidly help allay the fears and suspicions that are metabolized, completely eliminated and associated with them. Some studies have does not appear to accumulate in the body. established that artificial sweeteners such The product is attractive to food as Saccharin, which is a non-caloric manufacturers, as its use greatly lowers the sweetener, can lead to cancer. cost of production compared to using sugar Research found that Saccharin was or high fructose corn syrup (due to the responsible for cancer in lab rats. lower quantities needed to achieve the However, the same cannot be confirmed same sweetening), while also benefiting for human consumption of Saccharin, and the consumer by providing fewer "empty" attempts to ban the sweeteners have been sugar calories and a lower impact on blood futile. There is recorded evidence showing sugar [11]. that Aspartame, a non-caloric artificial sweetener, can lead to seizures, headaches 4. Sweeteners effects and attention deficit disorders. Some people experience heart palpitations, Artificial sweeteners are one of the many constipation and swelling of certain body types of food additives that are applied to parts after consuming this artificial improve food color, taste, texture, sweetener. appearance and durability. They are In some cases, regular intake of artificial commonly used to replace natural sugar, so sweeteners has resulted in addiction. Some that the negative effects that are associated people have developed an addiction for with sugar intake can be significantly diet cokes and other sweetened drinks due reduced. For a number of years, artificial to the addition of sweeteners. Artificially- sweeteners were a popular ingredient for sweetened drinks and food can lead to the manufacturing of food, but their change in taste buds, development of popularity started to decline after cravings and activation of the pleasure consumers discovered that they have centers in the brain that ultimately causes negative health effects. addiction [1] There are two types of artificial Artificial sweeteners are not necessarily sweeteners: non-caloric sweeteners and harmful to everyone. They can also be sugar alcohols. Non-caloric sweeteners beneficial to your health, as they can contain no calories, and they are the main reduce cavities and tooth decay and lower N.A.NEACŞU et al: Artificial Sweeteners versus Natural Sweeteners 63 body calories. Artificial sweeteners can food energy. This allows them to eat the also be used to neutralize bitterness in same foods they normally would, while certain medicinal products. It's still a good allowing them to lose weight and avoid idea to avoid using artificial sweeteners, other problems associated with excessive since the disadvantages clearly outweigh caloric intake. the advantages. Artificial food sweeteners • Dental care – sugar substitutes are tooth- can be detrimental to the health and friendly, as they are not fermented by the development of the brain, as well as microflora of the dental plaque. An overall health. example of a sweetener that can benefit Several alternatives to artificial dental health is xylitol. Xylitol works to sweeteners include natural sweeteners such prevent bacteria from adhering to the tooth as agave nectar, Stevia, Xylitol and raw surface, thus preventing plaque formation honey. Some of these natural sweeteners and eventually decay. The carbohydrates have medicinal qualities. Stevia, from the and sugars consumed usually adheres to Stevia plant, is known to be beneficial for the tooth enamel. Bacteria can feed upon diabetics, as it doesn't spike blood sugar this food source allowing them to quickly levels. Raw honey is a suitable alternative multiply. As the bacteria feed upon the to sugar because it doesn't cause tooth sugar, they convert it to waste that in decay and cavities. turn decays the tooth structure. Xylitol Artificial sweeteners, or sugar cannot be fermented by these bacteria, so substitutes, offer the sweetness of sugar the bacteria have difficulty thriving, thus without the calories. Artificial sweeteners helping to prevent plaque formation. are many times sweeter than sugar, so it • Diabetes mellitus – people with diabetes takes a smaller amount to sweeten foods. have difficulty regulating their blood sugar This is why foods made with artificial levels. By limiting their sugar intake with sweeteners may have fewer calories than artificial sweeteners, they can enjoy a those made with sugar. Sugar substitutes varied diet while closely controlling their don't affect your blood sugar level. In fact, sugar intake. Also, some sugar substitutes most artificial sweeteners are considered do release energy, but are metabolized "free foods" foods containing less than 20 more slowly, allowing blood sugar levels calories and 5 grams or less of to remain more stable over time. carbohydrates because they don't count as • Reactive hypoglycemia – individuals calories or carbohydrates on a diabetes with reactive hypoglycemia will produce exchange. Remember, however, other an excess of insulin after quickly absorbing ingredients in foods containing artificial glucose into the bloodstream. This causes sweeteners can still affect your blood sugar their blood glucose levels to fall below the level. Also, be cautious with sugar amount needed for proper body and brain alcohols — including , function. As a result, like diabetics, they and xylitol. Sugar alcohols can increase must avoid intake of high-glycemic foods your blood sugar level. And for some like white bread, and often choose artificial people, sugar alcohols may cause diarrhea. sweeteners as an alternative. Sugar substitutes are used for a number • Avoiding processed foods – individuals of reasons, including: may opt to substitute refined white sugar • To assist in weight loss – some people with less-processed sugars, such as fruit choose to limit their food energy intake by juice or maple syrup. replacing high-energy sugar or corn syrup • Cost – many sugar substitutes are with other sweeteners having little or no cheaper than sugar. Alternative sweeteners 64 Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov • Series V • Vol. 7 (56) No. 1 - 2014 are often low in cost because of their long 2. Swithers, S.E., Davidson, T.L.: A role shelf-life and high sweetening intensity. for sweet taste: calorie predictive This allows alternative sweeteners to be relations in energy regulation by used in products that will not perish after a rats. In: Behav Neurosci 2008, short period of time. 122 (1): 161–73. 3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweetene 5. Conclusions rs. Accessed: 26-01-2014. 4. http://www.modernhealthymom.com/ Finally we found out that the artificial 2012/05/natural-sweeteners- sweeteners are very unhealthy, despite the explained. Accessed: 26-01-2014 fact that we consume them every day, and 5. http://jdaviswrites.hubpages.com/hub/ they are present almost in every sweet- Types-of-Natural-Sweeteners. flavored food. If we would like to live a Accessed: 27-01-2014 healthier life, the best solution is using 6. http://www.raw-living-food- natural sweeteners. One of the obstacles is success.com/natural-sweetener. the high price of natural sweeteners; Accessed: 26-01-2014 because of this people usually choose 7. http://www.fitday.com/fitness- artificial sweeteners. In conclusion, the articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/6- assertions that artificial sweeteners are health-benefits-of-madhava-agave- safe, healthy and help in weight loss are nectar.html Accessed: 25-01-2014 false. 8. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/art There are many natural sweeteners ificial-sweeteners/MY00073. unkown to people, whose benefits of are Accessed: 24-01-2014 important and necessary to our bodies. 9. http://www.moneycrashers.com/artific ial-sweeteners-sugar-substitutes. References Accessed: 24-01-2014 10. http://www.saccharin.org/history.html 1. Mattes, R.D., Popkin, B.M.: Accessed: 25-01-2014 Nonnutritive sweetener consumption 11. http://www.diabetes.org/food-and- in humans: effects on appetite and fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/artificial- food intake and their putative sweeteners/. Accessed: 12-02-2014 mechanisms. In: The American Journal of 89 (2009), no. 1, pag. 1–14.