Sugar substitutes are often embroiled in a lot of controversy due to their potential hazards. This story compares the two most common sugar substitutes, sucralose and aspartame.
Ashwini Kulkarni Sule
The several health problems associated with sugar have paved way for an array of sugar substitutes. Sucralose and aspartame are amongst the biggest players in this market.
Many people opt for sugar-free products containing these two ingredients, thinking they are choosing a healthy option. But did you know that these sugar substitutes may present an altogether new set of health issues before you?
When you compare sucralose and aspartame, you cannot ignore the possible potential of these ingredients to induce a plethora of health hazards. Besides, it would be also interesting to test these sugar substitutes against different parameters.
Difference Between Sucralose and Aspartame
Taste
Sucralose is used in about 4000 foods and drinks, whereas aspartame is used in about 6000 types of products. Sucralose is about 600 times sweeter than natural sugar, while aspartame is about 200 times sweeter. You only need to add a small amount of sucralose to get the desired sweetness.
It stays stable even at higher temperatures, and this makes it ideal for cooking and baking. Aspartame, on the other hand, breaks down at higher temperatures; hence, is rarely used for cooking and baking.
It leaves a bitter aftertaste in the mouth, if used in hot dishes or beverages. This is due to its breaking down at high temperatures. Aspartame also turns the food bitter if stored for a long time.
Chemical Composition
Sucralose is a derivative of table sugar and is formed by selective chlorination method. Aspartame, on the other hand, is a methyl ester of the dipeptide of the natural amino acids namely, L-aspartic acid and L-phenylalanine. Both these sweeteners are white in color and come in a fine powder.
The chlorine composition of sucralose makes it particularly dangerous as chlorine is a highly reactive element. On the other hand, aspartame may produce highly toxic methanol after the process of hydrolysis.
Calories
Both sucralose and aspartame score well when it comes to counting calories. While sucralose is absolutely free of calories, aspartame is also substantially low in calories. Sucralose is not metabolized by the body; hence, there is no further breaking down. It gets out of the body without interfering with the digestion mechanism.
Aspartame, due to its low calorie content, is often used in diet soft drinks. Both these sugar substitutes provide sweetness without piling up the calories in your body. This is the biggest advantage of using sugar substitutes.
Although people resort to these substitutes in an attempt to counter obesity, a research shows that people are more prone to overeat foods with these ingredients. This eventually leads to obesity.
Brand Names
Sucralose is commercially available under the brand name Splenda, whereas aspartame is sold as NutraSweet in the US. Both these sweeteners are available in pocket pouches as well as five-pound bags. In restaurants, sucralose comes in yellow packets, while aspartame is served in pink packets.
Earlier, a clinical research gave a clean chit to these artificial sweeteners, dismissing allegations that these sweeteners induce certain ailments. However, some consumers reported symptoms that were believed to be associated with these sweeteners.
When the FDA probed into the matter, it came to a conclusion that there is not enough medical evidence that suggests a link between these sweeteners and alleged illnesses. Thus, it can be deduced that artificial sweeteners can be safely consumed in moderation.
These sweeteners are a great option for diabetics, but if you are opting for them for weight loss, then please keep a tab on the amount of 'diet food' you consume.