Sugar Free Food

Whenever it comes to sugar free diet the first thing which comes to mind is a diabetic diet. Sugar Free contain ingredients called "sugar alcohols," frequently referred to as "polyols." A polyol is not a sugar, nor an alcohol. Polyols are a group of low-digestible carbohydrates derived from the hydrogenation of their sugar or syrup source. These unique sweeteners taste like sugar but are not sugars at all.

Types of sugar free products in market:

Different types of artificial sweetener in market:

• Acesulfame-K or acesulfame-pottasium.
• Aspartame.
• Cyclamate.
• Saccharin.
• Sucralose.

Benefits of sugar free:

• They have fewer calories and do not cause sudden increases in blood sugar levels.
• Polyols are not readily converted to acids by bacteria in the mouth and, therefore, do not promote tooth decay.
• Sugar free diet helps in providing important and much required nutrients and positive energy to the body.
• Help you control weight along with helping in stabilizing your blood sugar levels.

Sugar Free Fudge recipe:

Ingredients

• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 unsweetened chocolate squares (1ounce each) melted and cooled
• 1/2 cup sugar substitute (aspartame sweetener)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Method

So next time if you or your family member is suffering from diabetes don't stop them from eating sugar free sweets as they don't have sugar.

Disadvantage of sugar free especially if you are not diabetic

• Just because it is sugar free does not mean it's calorie free
• Also, the uses of artificial sweeteners have been linked to cancer.
• A summary of safety concerns from www.AdditiveAlert.com.au

• 950 Acesulphame-K: caused cancer and tumours in animal tests
• 951 Aspartame (Nutrasweet, Equal): linked to many health problems including headaches, seizures and brain tumours. The FDA has received more complaints about aspartame than any other food additive
• 952 Cyclamates: suspected carcinogen banned in the UK and USA in 1970 but still permitted in Australia
• 954 Saccharin: linked to bladder and reproductive cancers banned in the USA in 1977 but reinstated with strict labelling provisions
• 955 Sucralose: caused kidney and liver damage in tests, more research needed

So like anything, l say it's good to know the pros and cons and everything in moderation is OK.

(Sources: caloriecontrol.org, ezinearticles.com/?The-Health-Benefits-of-Sugar-Free-Chocolates&id=159556, polyol.org/benefits.html, ayushveda.com, homecooking.about.com/od/candyrecipes/r/blcandy7.htm, healthmad.com/Nutrition/The-Five-Types-of-Artificial-Sweeteners-Benefits-Risks-and-How-They-Compare-to-Sugar.202171, fedupwithfoodadditives.info)

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