Sweeteners for Better Health

As people age, the body is not able to digest sugars as fast compared to before. Since this poses as a health risk, people have shifted to sweeteners. This can also be used to control blood sugar or reduce the amount of calories or carbohydrates taken into the body.

This has prompted companies to make artificial sweeteners that offer the same taste but less on the calories. Some of the brands are in the market are Equal, Canderel and NutraSweet.

The main ingredient that makes this work is aspartame. This can be found in diet drinks, multivitamins and other products. The person can substitute this for sugar commonly used in coffee or tea and still enjoy the same good taste will less calories.

The person can buy this in small sachets which are good for trips or buy it in the form of bottle that can be used for the home.

Another low calorie sweetener out in the market is Splenda. The main ingredient that makes this work is Sucralose. The process takes away the calories normally found in sugar and when consumed, this passes into the body without being converted into energy. This simply goes in and out to add flavor to the drink or the food taken in without causing any effects on the body.

Another sweetener can be taken from sugarcane. This is called a wholesome sweetener and the person can find this in the grocery with the name Sucanat on the label. The name stands for sugar cane natural and gives the user the much needed vitamins and nutrients as part of the healthy diet.

Corn sweetener is another alternative to those who want a healthy lifestyle. This comes in a variety of products that people find in the supermarket.

All of these sweeteners can be mixed with a drink or with food. This has proven to be safe for women who are pregnant and on patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes.

Is there a brand that stands out among the rest? The answer is no. Though some are more popular in certain places, the other brands have shown to stand out in other countries. If these are all available in the grocery, it will be a good idea to read the back of the label to compare the ingredients and minerals each of the sweeteners give.

The basis for choosing one brand over the other is not about the price but the healthful benefit that the product can give.

Corn Sweetener for Everyday Consumption

Part of a balanced diet requires some form of sugar that is taken into the body. According to one study, most Americans rely on corn sweeteners to provide the right amount daily.

Last year, corn sweetener captured 56% of the nutritive market. This just proves that this is used on a variety of items that people take for granted. This may be in the form of bread, to a formulated juice drink and also in some of the medicines that the patient is given.

Corn sweeteners are divided into three types. The first is in the form of syrup. This has been used as an ingredient in making food such as ice cream, hotdogs, canned goods and certain vegetables. People on a diet or those who love eating salads can also use this as a condiment for flavoring.

The second type of corn syrup is dextrose. When this word comes to mind, people think this is the one used in the hospital that is inserted into the body. This is true since this chemical is easily absorbed by the body.

In fact, the greatest user of this are the drug companies since this plays a major part in the fermentation process which helps in producing various medicines such as penicillin.

But dextrose also has other uses. This provides a good source of carbohydrates that is mostly found in chewing gum, jams, preserves and icing mixes. There are also a variety of items of pastry products that can be made from using this such as bread, buns and rolls.

Dextrose is used to extend the shelf life of certain products and is also used by beverage companies to make non-alcoholic drinks.

The third type is crystalline fructose. This is formulated as a result of a chemical process and is used on a variety of products such as caned fruits, condiments and other processed foods.

Sodas also contain crystalline fructose as one of its ingredients which provides the drink some artificial flavor that is favorable to the taste buds. Other products that have this are cereals and other instant drinks that are available in the supermarket.

Is consuming anything with corn sweetener safe on a daily basis? The answer is yes because this gives the body energy in order to efficiently. People can drink or eat this and the individual will know how much percentage it has by reading the label located on the side of the product.