If you have a bit of a sweet tooth, then you can still indulge without harming your teeth. There are plenty of natural and artificial sugar substitutes.
Saccharin
Saccharin is between 300 and 400 times sweeter than table sugar and is added to products like chewing gum, drinks, sweets and jam. One disadvantage of saccharin is that it can leave a metallic aftertaste when used in high concentrations. There’s also the risk of allergic reactions in people with allergies to sulfa-derived drugs.
Polyols
These are sugar alcohols occurring naturally in foods like apples and berries and are considered a healthy source of sugar. However, when eaten in large amounts they can have a laxative effect.
Aspartame
Aspartame is approximately 200 times as sweet as table sugar and is often found in yoghurts, soft drinks and foods. It’s broken down entirely by the body into amino acids, aspartic acid and phenylalanine, and is generally safe for use. It’s not suitable for anyone with phenylketonuria, a condition that prevents the breakdown of phenylalanine.
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