Some come ready-made from nature. This is the case of stevioside, better known as stevia, extracted from a plant traditionally consumed by Brazilian Indians. Others emerged in the laboratory – several of them by accident. Aspartame, for example, was discovered in research for an ulcer remedy. This occurred in 1965, when American chemist Jim Schlatter let a combination of amino acids he had developed fall into his hands. When he put a finger to his mouth, he felt an extremely sweet taste: the popular sweetener used in light sodas was created. The first of the artificial sweeteners – saccharin, from 1879 – and cyclamate, from 1937, were also discovered like this, in a casual finger licking. It’s good to remember that not all of these products are made for diet.
Many of them contain calories (see table) but since they are not common sugar, they can be used by diabetics. “The metabolism of these substances does not require insulin, the hormone that diabetics do not produce properly”, says biochemist Franco Lajolo, from USP. Furthermore, Americans and Europeans avidly consumed saccharin during both world wars, because the sugar was going to the troops. Finally, these products may also have other uses. Xylitol, for example, prevents the emergence of cavities. Therefore, it is used in chewing gum and even toothpaste.
Chemical composition of sweeteners is quite varied
artificial
Sweetener – Saccharin
Composition – Toluene (organic element), chlorine and sulfur dioxide
Calories – Zero
Sweetener – Cyclamate
Composition – Cyclohexylamine (petroleum derivative)
Calories – Zero
Sweetener – Aspartame
Composition – Two amino acids: phenylalanine and aspartic acid
Calories – Almost zero
Sweetener – Sucralose
Composition – Sucrose (common sugar) altered)
Calories – Zero
Sweetener – Acesulfame K
Composition – Aceto-Acetic Acid (from the acetic acid family, present in vinegar)
Calories – Zero
Sweetener – Maltitol
Composition – Maltose (natural malt sugar) hydrogenated
Calories – 50% less than sugar
Sweetener – Lactitol
Composition – Lactose (natural milk sugar) altered
Calories – 50% less than sugar
Sweetener – Isomalt
Composition – Sucrose (common sugar) altered
Calories – 50% less than sugar
Sweetener – MSM
Composition – Altered Starch
Calories – 25% less than sugar
natural
Sweetener – Stevioside
Origin – Stevia rebaudiana (South American plant)
Calories – Zero
Sweetener – Thaumatin
Origin – Thaumatococcus danielli (African plant)
Calories – Zero
Sweetener – Fructose
Origin – Fruits and honey
Calories – Same as sugar
Sweetener – Xylitol
Origin – Branches of trees such as birch
Calories – 40% less than sugar
Sweetener – Tagatose
Origin – Found in milk derivatives, but its production process is not disclosed
Calories – 40% less than sugar
Sweetener – Trihalose
Origin – Found in honey and produced commercially from starch
Calories – Same as sugar
Sweetener – Sorbitol
Origin – Found in fruits and produced commercially from glucose
Calories – 65% less than sugar
Sweetener – Mannitol
Origin – Found in algae and produced commercially from glucose
Calories – 60% less than sugar
Sweetener – Erythritol
Origin – Melons, pears and grapes
Calories – 65% less than sugar