Sugar-free, but not all that sweet

Are the artificial sweeteners really sugar-free and safe for health particularly of diabetic patients? While supporters of no-calorie sugar substitutes, like aspartame and saccharine maintain the sweeteners are safe in moderation, many nutritionists have questioned their efficacy.

Delhi-based nutritionist and writer Ishi Khosla, who runs Whole Foods, a health food company, says, “So far, there is little scientific evidence against their use. However, only the approved ones should be taken within safe limits. Because, after all in actual they are chemical.”Dr Rekha Sharma, former chief dietician from Delhi’s premier hospital, AIIMS said, “sweeteners are not really sugar as they do not have any calorie but they need to be used in moderation. Natural fruits with low in fructose contents such as apple or orange are best substitutes for sugar.”

Khosla added that sweeteners are not absolutely sugar-free. “But they do contain 1-2 calories as well as have chemical and synthetic compound which cannot be recommended on a regular basis. They contain saccharine which is banned in India. One may become addictive to these chemicals which can have side-effects too. Hence, they can’t be recommended for children as well pregnant women.”

She also claimed that the general assumption that they help in reducing weight is also wrong. “Because on the one hand they may cut down calorie contents but on the other they have synthetic and chemical compound. There are FDA regulations which have strictly specified the quantity to be used on a regular basis.”

Khosla has a word of advice. “ Instead of indulging in chemical-based sweeteners one can safely use combinations of fat free dry fruit nuts like khajoor and anjir to meet the health demand. Or if you have a craving for sweets then one can always add fruits in custards which will automatically cut down,” she added.

Saccharin, in spite of approval by the US FDA, has been linked with damaging DNA and memory, and another sweetener aspartame, regardless of being the most extensively tested food in the history, still remains as a doubtful product.

Ritika Sharma from Max Healthcare Hospital asserted that obesity and popularity of sweeteners are linked with factors such as increased eating out, higher intake of sweetened beverages, more fruit juice consumption besides poor physical activity.Yet another most popular herbal sweetener stevia has not been approved from the Food Safety Authority of India. “Currently a scientific panel is considering whether stevia can be approved as a food item,” said VN Gaur, CEO of FSSAI.However, as India is considered diabetic capital of the world hosting the highest number of patients to touch 70 million in the next decade and half, the sugar-free sweeteners can’t escape the safety test.

source: dailypioneer