Artificial sweetness (sugar substitute): non-nutritive sweeteners, also known as artificial sweeteners, generally defined as the same sweetness, calories less than 2% of sucrose or less, the use of the metabolism of non-caloric. Because of the stable supply, low price and high sweetness, it is widely loved by the food processing industry.

Functions:

1. low calorie: no calorie or very low calorie

2. anti-dentinopathy

3. improve the digestive system bacterial phase: to provide the human digestive system to provide the better conditions for the propagation of beneficial bacteria

4. diabetic food: will not cause the rise in blood glucose

The differentiation of sugar substitutes in terms of the generation of calories can be

Nutritive sweeteners (can produce calories) and non-nutritive sweeteners (no calories)

Chinese name: Aspartame

English name: Aspartame Aspartame's chemical structure Aspartame

Classification: Sugars

Description: Aspartame is a kind of sugar substitutes, with a sweet taste and almost no calories and carbohydrates. calories and carbohydrates, and is 180 times sweeter than white sugar.

Aspartame was discovered in 1965 by a U.S. scientist researching drugs to treat ulcers, who accidentally discovered that the drugs he was using had a strong sweet taste, so the U.S. Food and Drug Administration immediately launched a number of studies on the substance, which was finally approved for commercialization.

Because aspartame has a sweet taste but no calories, and does not increase blood glucose levels when consumed, it is widely used by diabetics. However, aspartame should not be used by patients suffering from the rare phenylketonuria disease because patients with this genetic disorder cannot metabolize phenylpropionic acid, which is not only found in aspartame, but also in protein foods, such as chicken, milk, and vegetables.

<Potential dangers of aspartame>

Aspartame is not actually a deliberately developed substance; like penicillin, it was discovered by accident. It is made up of amino acids (L-Phenylalanine and Aspartic acid) and has a sweetness close to that of sucrose, and is 150 to 200 times sweeter than sucrose, making it a low calorie, low dosage product that is widely used in food processing, and also sold as sugar packets on the market. Aspartame is also used as a sweetener in cola, which is labeled as low-calorie, and in chewing gum, which prevents tooth decay, and has become a boon to diabetics and weight watchers.

Because aspartame is hydrolyzed in the body to release not only phenylalanine aspartic acid, but also methanol (methanol is an industrial alcohol and a possible ingredient in fake wine that can be metabolized into formic acid in the body to harm the human body), its safety has been questioned. Research has pointed out that due to the extremely low dosage of aspartame, the ingestion of very small amounts of methanol is not harmful to the human body. In addition, some have questioned whether the aspartic acid in aspartame could cause brain damage, endocrine disruption or tumors, when in fact more aspartic acid (which is also part of protein!) is consumed in the general diet. It is also part of the protein! So although it is questionable, it is also thought to be harmless because of the low intake of aspartame.

The U.S. FDA's permissible daily intake of aspartame is 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, while in Europe it is 20 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, and the domestic market has yet to set a standard. A can of easy-open (355ml) low-calorie drinks contain about 180mg of aspartame, and commercially available aspartame sugar packets contain even less. Aspartame is currently permitted as a food additive in more than 90 countries around the world.

The biggest disadvantage of aspartame is that it has low stability and is susceptible to damage by acid, alkali and temperature. As soon as it is heated, aspartame will be decomposed and lose its sweetness, so aspartame is only suitable for adding to cold drinks and ice products. Some manufacturers mix aspartame with other heat-resistant artificial sweeteners (such as potassium vinblastine) so that the product is not so sensitive to temperature.

Sugar substitutes such as aspartame are suitable for people who need to limit their sweet tooth but can't get it out of their head, but it's still recommended that they should control their intake. Although aspartame is low in calories, commercially available sugar substitutes contain not only aspartame, but also dextrose, dextrin, and other calorie-rich substances, so it's important to pay attention to the calorie labeling on the package. On the other hand, although the manufacturers of "weight loss" as a product publicity claims, but eat more sugar substitutes can not lose weight, it is only a replacement for sucrose, so that people with a sweet tooth to reduce calorie intake only. As for safety, as long as you know how to exercise moderation, you can enjoy the benefits and avoid the harms.

Aspartame has a sweetness close to that of sucrose and is 150 to 200 times sweeter than sucrose. It is suitable for diabetics and weight watchers because of its low dosage and low calorie content.

Aspartame will be broken down once heated and lose its sweetness, so it is only suitable for adding to cold drinks.

<Symptoms of poisoning>, abdominal pain/anxiety/arthritis/asthma/asthmatic reaction/puffiness (fluid buildup)/blood sugar control problems (low or high blood sugar)/brain cancer (pre-studied in animals)/breathing difficulties/burning eyes or throat/burning sensation in urination/inability to think straight/chest pains/prolonged coughing/prolonged fatigue/confusion/death/depression. diarrhea/dizziness/extreme thirst or hunger/fatigue/feeling unreal/flushing/hair loss/headache/migraine dizziness/hearing loss/palpitations/hives/high blood pressure/impotence and sexual problems/inability to concentrate/vulnerability to infections/insomnia/allergies/itching/arthralgia/laryngitis/"confused thoughts"/significant personality changes/loss of memory/menstrual problems or changes/migraines and severe headache ( Migraines and severe headaches (prolonged absorption can trigger or cause this problem)/muscle cramps//nausea or vomiting/numbness/other allergic reactions/fibrophobia/poor memory/rash/spasms and convulsions/slurred speech/painful swallowing/tachycardia/tremors/tinnitus/vertigo/visual loss/weight gain

Note: After checking a number of Web sites, there are different opinions on the toxicity of Aspartame, and therefore consumers should be aware of the importance of not consuming excessive amounts of the drug. Consumers should pay attention to the amount of aspartame consumed and the way it is cooked

<Aspartame vs. diabetes,

Aspartame and diabetes treatment

1. Artificial sweetness: Reduces the intake of sucrose and reduces the fluctuations of blood sugar.

2. Weight loss: About 25% of people over 40 years old in Taiwan are overweight (BMI >= 25kg/m2), and more than 50% of diabetic patients are overweight. Weight loss can promote insulin sensitivity, which is helpful for diabetes control.

Reports of field use of aspartame in diabetic patients

1. 0.9g per meal, 2.7g per day for 18 weeks without affecting blood glucose concentration or other side effects.

( Nehrling JK, Diabates Care 8:415-17, 1985 )

2. Blood glucose remained unchanged in normal controls and untreated diabetic patients after a single intake of 500 mg.

(Okuno G, Diabetes Res. Clin. Pract. 2:23-27, 1986 )

3. Non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients ingested 225 mg at one time with no change in blood glucose or amphotericin concentration.

(J Nutr Sci Vitaminol 31:533-40, 1985)

4. 12 normal controls and 10 non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients were given a drink containing 135 mg of saccharin,

400 mg of aspartame, or nothing sweetened, every other week. No meaningful effect on blood glucose, insulin or glucagon was seen

. (Horwitz DL, Diabetes Care 11:230-34, 1988)

Appetite and weight control

1. Paradoxical effect: A few researchers have suggested that aspartame may contribute to an increase in appetite and even weight gain.

2. Most studies show hunger elimination, same effect as sucrose. No difference was shown in caloric intake compared to placebo.

3. However, a trend towards reduced caloric intake was observed in children and women.

4. To the best of our knowledge, aspartame should have no paradoxical effect on appetite and body weight.

5.