The History of Sweeteners
According to 2007 figures, almost half of all American households use some kind of no-calorie sweetener. Artificial sweeteners have been around for years, but as yet, no one has been able to replicate the taste and texture that pure sugar gives to food. Does this Spark an idea?
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Saccharin
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The first sugar substitute, saccharin, was discovered by accident in 1879 by researchers at a lab at Johns Hopkins University. It quickly became popular as a food additive, and was thought to be a good alternative for people with kidney trouble or weight issues. Its popularity continued to grow in periods of sugar rationing during World Wars I and II. It began to be sold under the name of Sweet'N Low in 1957 and has since been a widely used sweetener, especially in drinks.
Aspartame
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Aspartame (commercially known as NutraSweet or Equal) was introduced in the early 1980s and is the most common artificial sweetener in soft drinks. It is also used to sweeten products like chewing gum, breath mints, yogurts and cereals, and is 200 times sweeter than sugar.
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Splenda
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Splenda is the brand name of sucralose, a compound derived from sugar that was approved by the federal government as a sugar substitute in 1998. One of the benefits of the product over other artificial sweeteners is that it retains its taste when heated, and so can be used in cooking and baking. Competitors filed suit against Splenda in 2004, arguing that it was marketed as a healthier and more natural product because it started out with sugar, despite the fact that the final product contains no sugar.
Natural Alternatives
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Stevia, an extract from the leaves of a plant, was discovered centuries ago and has been sold for general use in Japan since the 1970s, but for years the FDA blocked its use in the U.S. as an ingredient in food. In 1995, facing pressure from trade groups, it was allowed for sale as a dietary supplement and in 2008, the FDA finally approved its use as an additive in food and drinks.
Safety Concerns
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The safety of all artificial sweeteners has been questioned, with the harshest allegations directed at aspartame. Critics claimed that aspartame increased cancer in rats and caused symptoms such as headaches, mood swings, memory loss, dizziness, depression, insomnia, diarrhea and anxiety. The Food and Drug Administration, though, continues to support the safety of aspartame as well as other sweeteners on the market.
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