2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Sucralose / Sucralose, Splenda or E955 / is a relatively new, heat-resistant, strong sweetener, developed by the British company Tate & Lyle, which is a leader in the production of sugar and sugar products. Recently, sucralose is increasingly used in the manufacture of many beverages and foods.
History of sucralose
Sucralose was discovered quite by accident in 1976 in Britain during a study by researcher Prof. Leslie Hugh and his assistant Shashikant Fadnis. Their research was aimed at examining the use of sucrose as a chemical in areas other than cooking. Shashikant Fadnis was given the task of testing the chlorine compounds in sugar. However, the professor's assistant did not speak English very well, and when he heard the word "test", he thought he was being told to taste the substance. Fadnis tried it and so accidentally discovered that it was extremely sweet.
Production of sucralose
In fact sucralose is six hundred times sweeter than sucrose and twice as sweet as saccharin. Sucralose is not exactly an artificial sweetener, as it is derived from the chlorination of sucrose, but unlike it, there are three chloride ions instead of three hydroxyl groups. This is the reason why sucralose is indigestible by the body (only fifteen percent of the accepted one is absorbed, which is excreted in an unchanged chemical state within a day). So far, sucralose is produced by Tate & Lyle in plants in Singapore and Alabama, USA.
Daily dose of sucralose
About 4500 products contain the sweetener sucralose. This sugar substitute is used in the production of carbonated soft drinks, chewing gum, jellies, jams, dry mixes, canned food, dairy products, semi-finished products, frozen desserts, sauces and much more. It is very popular in sugar-free products, especially in protein powder.
In our hectic daily lives, consuming packaged foods and beverages, we take about 80 mg of sucralose per day. Otherwise, the maximum daily dose is 4 mg of sweetener per 1 kg of body weight. According to some experts, even if this dose is exceeded, it will not lead to serious health consequences. The US Food and Beverage Control Commission has found that sucralose should not be taken every day, although its toxic properties are currently unknown. The product should also not be used by children under 14 years of age.
Benefits of sucralose
However, the truth is that there are different opinions about the safety of sucralose. This product has both defenders and fierce opponents. According to some experts sucralose can be safely used by anyone who adheres to a diet without any side effects. Moreover, this sweetener is especially suitable for diabetics, as it does not affect blood sugar and insulin levels. Even in minimal amounts, the sweetener is able to satisfy the need for jam.
Experts say that pregnant women should also not worry about the use of sucralose, because it can not pass through the placenta or breast milk. According to them, sucralose can be toxic only if taken in extremely high doses, which can rarely be obtained. The other advantage of this substance is that, unlike sugar, it does not affect the condition of the teeth and does not cause caries.
Sucralose can be taken alone or in combination with other sweeteners. It is increasingly used in the pharmaceutical industry. Sucralose is part of various drugs and syrups. Recently, sucralose is increasingly used as a sweetener due to its greatest advantage over aspartame - stability in heat treatment and a wide range of pH values.
Sucralose in cooking
As already mentioned, sucralose can be successfully used in the culinary world in the preparation of various confectionery. Sucralose is available in granular form, which allows easy dosing. Sucralose dissolves in liquids, but is not as hygroscopic as sugar (it does not attract water molecules), and pastries made with it are usually dry. When baked, sucralose retains its granular structure and in some recipes it is simply not appropriate to use.
Fruit ice cream with sucralose
Necessary products: sucralose - 2 tsp, water - 5 tsp, blueberries - 1/2 tsp. (frozen), raspberries - 1/2 tsp (frozen), blackberries - 1/2 tsp (frozen), cream -1 tsp (whipped)
Method of preparation: Dissolve sucralose in water. Put the frozen blueberries, raspberries and blackberries in a kitchen chopper. Mash until smooth. Then carefully add the fresh water and beat the mixture again. Finally, add the cream and mash for the last time. Pour the resulting ice cream into a suitable bowl and place it in the refrigerator compartment for a few hours.
Harm from sucralose
Scientists denying sucralose, are not small at all. According to the most ardent enemies of this sweetener, sucralose cannot actually be excreted from our bodies. There are experts who believe that the substance causes damage to our metabolism and ultimately, if we continue to ingest it, it can damage our internal organs. Scientists claim that the human liver is unable to detoxify our body from E955 and that sucralose damages hepatocytes (metabolic cells in the liver).
Experts insist that there is no such thing as a safe amount of this toxic substance. Experiments were performed on experimental animals that ate sucralose and all of them received enlargement of the liver and calcification of the kidneys. According to recent data, sucralose has a negative effect on the brain, nervous system, immune system. It is believed that this sweetener can cause birth defects or even cancer. A small new study also shows that the combination of glucose and sucralose has a negative effect on blood sugar and insulin levels.
Of course, further research is needed to confirm whether regular consumption of sugar substitutes will be harmful to our body. But experts still advise never to take the sweetener alone, but only in combination with foods and beverages such as coffee and tea.
