Aspartame and sucralose are artificial sweeteners people use instead of caloric sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, and table sugar. However, there have been many questions about the safety levels of these sugar substitutes.
This article covers the differences between aspartame and sucralose, including their taste, uses, benefits, and potential risks.
What is Aspartame?
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is 200 times sweeter than sucrose. It is an odorless white powder that contains amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine. When ingested, your body breaks down some of it into methanol, an alcohol that is also produced when you ferment vegetables or consume fruit.
How It’s Used
Aspartame is used in several low-calorie and calorie-free foods and drinks, including:
● Sugar-free ice cream, candy, and gum
● Light yogurt
● Zero-sugar soda
● Reduced-calorie fruit juice
What is Sucralose?
Sucralose is a synthetic sweetener from common table sugar (sucrose) composed of glucose and fructose. Chemically, it is created by replacing three hydroxyl groups in sugar with three chlorine atoms.
How It’s Used
Sucralose has better stability and a higher safety rating than non-nutritive sweeteners. It is also considered to have a better flavor. Therefore, it is used in multiple low-calorie foods, beverages, and medications to supply sweetness without adding a significant amount of calories, including:
● Sugarless gum
● Gelatins
● Frozen dairy desserts
What Makes Them Different?
While they have similar uses, there are multiple differences between aspartame and sucralose. For instance, aspartame is not heat-stable and loses its flavor once exposed to high temperatures. On the other hand, sucralose remains stable at high temperatures, making it a better substitute for baking.
Additionally, aspartame is not as sweet as sucralose. It is 200 times sweeter than sugar, while sucralose is 600 times sweeter.
Comparing Taste
Aspartame and sucralose are both very sweet granular white powders. However, aspartame has been described as having a bitter, metallic flavor, so it is often blended with other sweetening agents to reduce that effect.
How Aspartame and Sucralose Affect Your Health
For people with a rare genetic disorder known as phenylketonuria (PKU), it is important to avoid aspartame. Additionally, certain evidence shows that aspartame could be hard on the kidneys of people with kidney disease.
Concerning sucralose, there have been concerns that it produces toxic compounds when cooked at high temperatures.
Conclusion
Aspartame and sucralose were invented for the same reason, which is to supply a highly sweet sugar substitute that sweetens products without adding a large amount of calories.
Both sugar substitutes are considered safe by regulatory bodies as long as they are used as directed and avoided by individuals with health conditions that could be worsened by the ingredients in artificial sweeteners.
