By:Luis Trujano

Anh TranLuis Vargas

Sugar-Free Agents&

Their Effects

• Sugar-free agents are synthetic compounds that have sweet taste similar to that of natural sugar. However, they are usually sweeter than regular sugar.

• Some do not provide any energy at all; however, some provide only a small amount of energy after being consumed.

• They have different names, including: sugar substitutes, sugar sweeteners, artificial sweeteners, etc. Sometimes, these names show the level of sweetness of sugar.

INTRODUCTION

Types

• Seven main types of Sugar substitutes:1. Acesulfame-K2. Aspartame3. Neotame4. Saccharin5. Stevia (“Sweet Honey Leaf”)6. Sucralose 7. Sugar Alcohols

Positive Effects

• Lose weight• Dental Care• Reduce blood sugar levels• Reduce calories• Prevent people from having diabetes

Adverse Metabolic Effects

• Brain Cancers• Bladder Cancers• Gain Weight- because people feel like they

have not had enough sugar• Heart disease• Increase blood sugar levels

Acesulfame-K

• Characteristics:1. a calorie-free sweetener2. 200 times sweeter than sugar3. Made from the combination of acetoacetic

acid, an organic intermediate, with the naturally occurring mineral, potassium

4. It’s a highly stable, crystalline sweetener5. Safe if it is used in a small amount

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• Uses: 1. Serves mostly as an ingredient in foods in the United

States2. Foods that contain acesulfame potassium: candy,

tabletop sweeteners, chewing gums, beverages, dessert and dairy product mixes, baked goods, alcoholic beverages, syrups, refrigerated and frozen desserts, and sweet sauces and toppings

3. Used in sweetener blends to produce a more sugar-like taste in a food or beverage with less calories

Chewing GumsBaked Goods

NEGATIVE EFFECTS• Happens only when used in large amounts or for long

terms.• Causes:1. Headache2. Gastrointestinal upset3. Nausea4. Mental Confusion5. Liver Cancer6. kidney Cancer 7. Visual disturbances

Aspartame

• Characteristics:1. 200 times sweeter than sugar2. low-calorie sweetener3. aspartame's taste is very similar to the taste

of sugar4. Has ability to intensify and extend fruit

flavors5. Breakdown rapidly

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• Uses: 1. Used to make soft drinks taste sweeter2. Beverages and foods contain Aspartame: soft

drink, coca cola, chewing gums, etc3. Used in sweetener blends to produce a more

sugar-like taste in a food or beverage

NEGATIVE EFFECTS

• It is considered to be one kind of carcinogen.• Causes:1. Brain Cancer2. Headaches (some severe)3. Dizziness 4. Confusion5. Memory loss6. Both severe drowsiness and sleepiness

Products containing Asparatame

Products containing Asparatame

Negative Effects

Neotame

• Characteristics:1. 7,000 and 13,000 times sweeter than sugar2. Does not appear to accumulate in the body

after being consumed3. Breakdown rapidly4. Stable at high temperature

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• Uses: 1. Serves both as an ingredient in foods and in

beverages.2. Foods and beverages that contain Neotame:

coffee candies, chewing gums, beverages, dessert and dairy product mixes, baked goods, alcoholic beverages, syrups, refrigerated and frozen desserts, sweet sauces and toppings, and cereals.

NEGATIVE EFFECTS

• Causes:1. Gain Weight because it made people addicted

to it. Even though they use small amount but it made them kept using it again and again.

2. Increase Calories level (if overuse)3. Damage endocrine system and nervous system-

human body fails to respond to hormones sent from these systems.

Benefits

1. Reduce calorie intake (zero-calorie sweetener)

2. Dental care3. Increase great flavors for foods and

beverages4. Save money5. Important for people who have diabetes

Saccharin

• Characteristics: 1. Provide no energy2. Unstable when heated3. 500 times sweeter than cane sugar4. Has bitter and metallic taste5. White crystalline powder6. Calorie free sweetener7. Rapidly breakdown8. Does not accumulate in your body

BENEFITS & USES

1. Serves both as an ingredient in foods and in beverages.

2. Foods and beverages contain Sacharrin: soft drinks, tabletop sweeteners, baked goods, jams, chewing gum, canned fruit, candy, dessert toppings and salad dressings

3. Also used in pharmaceuticals.

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4. Important for people who have diabetes5. Reduce dental cavities6. Reduce weights7. Low cost

Negative Effects

• Very toxic • Causes (if overuse):1. Bladder distention2. Bladder cancer3. Urine osmolality4. Increase of insulin- signals health problem-

increase level of glucose in blood cells

Stevia (“Sweet Honey Leaf”)

• Characteristics:1. Made from leaves of Stevia flower, in South

America2. Calorie free sweetener3. 300 times of sweetness of sugar4. Available in health food stores

Benefits & Uses

1. Reduces blood pressures (if use only 750-1500 mg per day)

2. Reduce blood sugar levels3. Reduce obesity4. Important for people who have diabetes

Side Effects

• Causes:1. Dizziness2. Bloating and Nausea3. Mild muscle pains4. Numbness5. Prevent pregnancies6. Carcinogens

Sucralose

• Characteristics:1. 600 times as sweet as sucrose2. Does not break down in body3. Calorie free sweetener4. Stable under heat5. Suitable over a broad range of pH conditions6. Decompose into other substances at temperature

above 119 °C or 246 °F7. Safe for consumption by diabetics

Benefits and Uses

1. Used to make soft drinks taste sweeter2. Beverages and foods that contain Sucralose:

candy, breakfast bars and soft drinks3. Used in sweetener blends to produce a more

sugar-like taste in a food or beverage4. Reduce dental cavities5. Reduce weights6. Does not affect insulin levels7. Serves as energy storage

Adverse Effects• Very Toxic if overused.• Causes:1. Brain Cancers2. Bladder Cancers3. Make people gain weight4. Liver Cancers

SUGAR ALCOHOLS

• Characteristics: 1. Extracted from plants’ leaves, such as

seaweed2. Not Calorie free3. Very harmful for health4. Provide about half the calories of sugar.5. Body has difficulty breaking down these

compounds.

Uses

• Foods and products containing sugar alcohols: 1. Chocolates2. Coffee3. Star Brites Fruity Candies4. Chewing gums.5. Alcohol (beers, whines, etc)• Important for people who have diabetes only if they

use half of the grams of alcohol sugars• Reduce dental cavities

Negative effects

• Very harmful even a in small doses• They are slowly and incompletely absorbed

from intestine into the blood• Overconsumption causes individual feel

discomfort. It also produces abdominal gas.• Causes:1. Gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances 2. Laxative effects

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3. Heartburn4. Diarrhea5. Nausea and Vomiting

Conclusion

• Overall, sugar-free agents are diverse. They have different effects in our lives. In general, they share common characteristics and effects such as reducing weights, reduce dental cavities , and low caloric sweeteners.

• The most important thing we need to remember is not to make use of these synthetic compounds because overconsumption could bring back some adverse and detrimental effects for our lives.

ReferencesAndrews, J. (2010, December 14). The Health Effects of Saccharin. Retrieved from

http://www.livestrong.com/article/333674-the-health-effects-of-saccharin/

Astrup A., & Van Baak, M. A. (2004, October 1). The Sweet and Lowdown on Sugar Substitutes. Environmental

Nutrition, 27(10), 2. Retrieved from http://

0-web.ebscohost.com.lib.utep.edu/ehost/detail?vid=5&sid=45a7fa81-9336-4116-8d38-6345a4b6805a%40s

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Barry, J. (2008, March 1). Young Teeth. Nutraceuticals Now, 14-15. Retrieved from

http://libguides.utep.edu/EatingandBreathing

Kovacs, B. (2010, July 15). Artificial Sweeteners. Retrieved from MedicineNet website:

http://www.onhealth.com/artificial_sweeteners/page10.htm

Stock, S., Miranda, C., Evans, S., Plezzis, S., & Ridly, J. (2007, October). Healthy Buddies. American Academy of

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