Q. Explain about Non-Nutritive Sweeteners?
Non-Nutritive Sweeteners: These are characterized by an intense sweet taste. They are needed in small quantities and do not make any nutritive contribution which is significant. Three non nutritive Sweeteners available are saccharin, aspartame and acesulfame K. In some countries, cyclamate and stevioside is available. From the data available on clinical studies it is seen that these sweeteners have no adverse affect on diabetes control. The recommended use of aspartame has been approved by the American Diabetic Association. The recommended safe limit for aspartame is 50 mg/kg of body weight per day. Aspartame is commercially known as 'Equal', ‘Nutrasweet' and 'sugar free'. In America, Acesulfame is the newest non nutritive sweetener available. It is available commercially as 'Sunette' or 'Sweet one'. The safety limit given by FDA is 15 mg/kg/body weight per day.