Abstract

SUGAR SUBSTITUTES: AN OVERVIEW

*Shinde U. A. , Kusalkar S. and Rajput N.

Abstract

Increased awareness of obesity-related health issues has resulted in greater use of sugar substitutes in food and pharmaceutical industry. Artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes were developed to overcome these limitations and they have since then gone on to become a rapidly growing industry. Not only has the food industry, the pharmaceutical industry too benefitted from the research and development work done in this sector since they form an integral part of taste-masking technology. These substitutes not only mimic sugar in taste but also have lower calorific values. They can be used in pharmaceutical formulations for all age groups overcoming previous limitations for patients bearing risk factors such as diabetes and obesity. However, there exist divided opinions on the use of such sweeteners even though there have been extensive studies conducted on them over the years. This article covers the current FDA approved intense sweeteners viz. saccharin, aspartame, neotame, advantame, sucralose, acesulfame-K, stevia and swingle fruit and the bulk sweeteners viz. sorbitol, maltitol, mannitol, xylitol, erythritol, isomalt and lactitol. A brief review of their physiological effects, their safety and legal aspects is done.

Keywords: Sweeteners, sugar-substitutes, non-nutritive sweeteners, bulk sweeteners, low-calorie, Acceptable daily intake.