Know bout The Types Of Artificial Sweeteners That Can Be Used By People With Type 2 Diabetes

Consuming artificial sweeteners instead of sugar may help lower calorie consumption, which may be beneficial for diabetics who need to lose weight to manage their condition.

Stevia- a natural sweetener which has no calories

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New Delhi: People with type 2 diabetes must limit their sugar consumption. There are several artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes available, however, research on their usage by diabetics is conflicting as to how useful it is and whether there are any unexpected consequences, such as potentially contributing to insulin resistance.

Consuming artificial sweeteners instead of sugar may help lower calorie consumption, which may be beneficial for diabetics who need to lose weight to manage their condition.

Sweeteners are categorized in a variety of ways, the most general being sugar or sugar alternatives. They can also be classified as natural or artificial, nutritious or non-nutritive, and various other ways.

Here are some of the most commonly used artificial sweeteners:

1. Stevia: 

Stevia is a natural sweetener. This highly processed and purified product is approximately 300 times sweeter than table sugar, implying that just a tiny amount is required to sweeten food. Stevia offers various advantages and disadvantages that diabetics should consider. It has no calories and has no effect on blood sugar levels. It is, however, frequently more expensive than other sugar replacements.

Stevia also has a bitter aftertaste that many people dislike. As a result, some manufacturers add additional sugars and substances to balance the taste. This may make stevia products less suited for diabetics. Furthermore, some people suffer nausea, bloating, and stomach distress after taking it.

2. Sucralose:

Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that is approximately 600 times sweeter than sugar. It is sweeter than table sugar but has fewer calories. Sucralose is used to sweeten a variety of products, including chewing gum and baked goods. It is heat-resistant and is a popular alternative for sugar-free baking and sweetening hot beverages. Sucralose, unlike other artificial sweeteners, preserves its flavour at high temperatures.

3. Aspartame:

Aspartame is a common artificial sweetener that is approximately 200 times sweeter than sugar. Aspartame is added to a wide range of food products, including diet soda. Aspartame, unlike sucralose, is not an effective sugar substitute for baking since it degrades at high temperatures. It is mainly only used as a tabletop sweetener.

4. Monk Fruit Extract:

The monk fruit extract is a sweetener extracted from the monk fruit, a small round Southeast Asian fruit. It is a zero-calorie sweetener that is 150-200 times sweeter than sugar, making it a popular sugar substitute for folks trying to cut back on calories and sugar.

One of the advantages of monk fruit extract is that, unlike certain artificial sweeteners, it has a clean, sweet flavour with no harsh aftertaste. Furthermore, because it comes from a natural source, some people prefer it to alternative artificial sweeteners.