We all enjoy our beverages on daily basis whether its a soda, energy drink or some new functional beverage. While most of us do not check the ingredient list to see what sweeteners are used in our favorite drink, maybe we should. Do all natural drinks only use pure cane sugar? Is high fructose corn syrup really that bad? While the debate between the type of sweeteners has increased as to their safety we should start by understanding their differences and/or similarities?
Unrefined Cane Sugar
Pure Cane Sugar is sugar that has undergone less processing and is often more brown in color than Refined Sugar (the white stuff, also known as Table Sugar). You often find Pure Cane Sugar in health food stores and the Natural aisles in your grocery stores. While Pure Cane Sugar (or Dehydrated Cane Juice) can definitely not be described as being good for you because it is a sweetener, on a scale of bad to less bad, Pure Cane Sugar is one of the better sweeteners you can choose. Because of this, Pure Cane Sugar is often included as the sweetener in beverages that carry the label Natural.
What is High Fructose Corn Syrup?
High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is essentially corn syrups that have undergone processing to increase their fructose content to make them sweeter. This way, less goes a lot further, which makes HFCS a more affordable sweetener than sugar; and especially Pure Cane Sugar. These processing methods also give High Fructose Corn Syrup a longer shelf life than sugar, which is a great bonus to manufacturers.
HFCS can be found in everything from soft drinks to canned goods, even if the item is labeled "all natural". For this reason, it is important to check all food labels to be sure that the "natural" product you are purchasing is actually made from natural ingredients. If HFCS is labeled, the product is not entirely natural.
Debates have erupted regarding the widespread use of High Fructose Corn Syrup, primarily because it is expected by some officials to be a key player in the obesity epidemic. Some studies have suggested that HFCS is not metabolized by the body in the same way as sugar and effect the chemicals in the brain that let the body know when it is full. It may also contribute to excess fat storage, resulting in higher weight gain than is customary with natural sugars.
Some studies fight against these claims, however, stating that high fructose corn syrup is no more harmful than table sugar and that all sweeteners, regardless of where they are originated, should be consumed in moderation. This, in fact, is true as only 10% of daily caloric intake should be comprised of any sweetener, including natural varieties.
Ace K
One of the less talked about sweeteners in the Sweetener Debate is Acesulfame potassium, also known as Ace K. Ace K is a calorie free sweetener along the same lines of aspartame and sucralose. Many diet sodas and other diet beverages contain Ace K as a sweetener because it enables them to give their products a sweet taste without additional calories.
Normally Ace-K is used in conjunction with other artificial sweeteners. This helps increase the sweetness of each product and enhance the overall flavor, making diet treats more appealing to consumers. Using more than one sweetener together normally results in a more naturally sweet flavor than using Ace-K alone.
Ace-K and similar products are especially beneficial to diabetics because they do not raise blood sugar the way sugar does. They also do not contribute to tooth decay. However, despite these benefits, all artificial sweeteners should be used in moderation.
Although the debate rages on concerning the safety, taste and consumption of sweeteners of all kinds; they each have one thing in common. No sweetener should be used in very high quantities, whether alone or when found in sodas and food items. Until more conclusive studies have been performed, every sweetener can pose certain disadvantages and advantages to different consumers. - 30241
Unrefined Cane Sugar
Pure Cane Sugar is sugar that has undergone less processing and is often more brown in color than Refined Sugar (the white stuff, also known as Table Sugar). You often find Pure Cane Sugar in health food stores and the Natural aisles in your grocery stores. While Pure Cane Sugar (or Dehydrated Cane Juice) can definitely not be described as being good for you because it is a sweetener, on a scale of bad to less bad, Pure Cane Sugar is one of the better sweeteners you can choose. Because of this, Pure Cane Sugar is often included as the sweetener in beverages that carry the label Natural.
What is High Fructose Corn Syrup?
High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is essentially corn syrups that have undergone processing to increase their fructose content to make them sweeter. This way, less goes a lot further, which makes HFCS a more affordable sweetener than sugar; and especially Pure Cane Sugar. These processing methods also give High Fructose Corn Syrup a longer shelf life than sugar, which is a great bonus to manufacturers.
HFCS can be found in everything from soft drinks to canned goods, even if the item is labeled "all natural". For this reason, it is important to check all food labels to be sure that the "natural" product you are purchasing is actually made from natural ingredients. If HFCS is labeled, the product is not entirely natural.
Debates have erupted regarding the widespread use of High Fructose Corn Syrup, primarily because it is expected by some officials to be a key player in the obesity epidemic. Some studies have suggested that HFCS is not metabolized by the body in the same way as sugar and effect the chemicals in the brain that let the body know when it is full. It may also contribute to excess fat storage, resulting in higher weight gain than is customary with natural sugars.
Some studies fight against these claims, however, stating that high fructose corn syrup is no more harmful than table sugar and that all sweeteners, regardless of where they are originated, should be consumed in moderation. This, in fact, is true as only 10% of daily caloric intake should be comprised of any sweetener, including natural varieties.
Ace K
One of the less talked about sweeteners in the Sweetener Debate is Acesulfame potassium, also known as Ace K. Ace K is a calorie free sweetener along the same lines of aspartame and sucralose. Many diet sodas and other diet beverages contain Ace K as a sweetener because it enables them to give their products a sweet taste without additional calories.
Normally Ace-K is used in conjunction with other artificial sweeteners. This helps increase the sweetness of each product and enhance the overall flavor, making diet treats more appealing to consumers. Using more than one sweetener together normally results in a more naturally sweet flavor than using Ace-K alone.
Ace-K and similar products are especially beneficial to diabetics because they do not raise blood sugar the way sugar does. They also do not contribute to tooth decay. However, despite these benefits, all artificial sweeteners should be used in moderation.
Although the debate rages on concerning the safety, taste and consumption of sweeteners of all kinds; they each have one thing in common. No sweetener should be used in very high quantities, whether alone or when found in sodas and food items. Until more conclusive studies have been performed, every sweetener can pose certain disadvantages and advantages to different consumers. - 30241
About the Author:
Imbibe is an industry leader of great tasting private label beverages. Please visit http://www.imbibeinc.com to learn more about Imbibe.
