2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone (Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone) is a citrus-derived compound used as a sweetener. It is also found under other names, including neohesperidin DC, citrosis, neohesperidin or simply NHDC. The compound is also used as a dietary supplement, known as E959. It is quickly absorbed by the human body.
The substance itself is a white, odorless powder that has a pronounced sweet taste. When consumed, it leaves a slight mint feeling. This food supplement is many times sweeter than sucrose. Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone has very stable physical properties. The boiling point of the substance varies between 152 and 154 degrees.
It can be stored in the form of solutions, powders and food products. The compound dissolves well in hot water. It has a medium degree of solubility in lukewarm water. Does not dissolve in fatty solvents.
In nature, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone is found in a substance that is part of grapefruit. However, although its original source is a natural product, NHDC is not considered a completely harmless natural sweetener in all countries.
History of neohesperidin dihydrochalcone
Like most great discoveries, the sweetener neohesperidin dihydrochalcone was discovered by accident. The action takes place in the sixties of the last century in the United States. Then scientists try to reduce the bitterness of grapefruit juice. The bitter flavonoid that is present in this citrus is called neohesperidin.
Once the researchers hydrogenated neohesperidin the compound neohesperidin dihydrochalcone is formed, which has a sweet taste. This is a prerequisite for it to be used as a sugar substitute.
Thus, at the end of the last century, the European Union approved E959 as a sweetener. However, the US Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved the substance.
Use of neohesperidin dihydrochalcone
Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone It is used mainly in the food industry as a sweetener, as well as as a means of emphasizing a certain taste. Very often this sweetener is combined with others, including aspartame, sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
As a dietary supplement, E959 is present in a wide range of foods that lack crystal sugar for one reason or another. It is used mainly in milk, cream, ice cream and all other dairy products. Present in various sauces such as mayonnaise, ketchup and mustard. Used in making salami, sausages and other sausages.
Present in chewing gum, chewing candies, lollipops, candies to freshen the breath, jelly candies, dried fruits, jams, jellies, purees. It can be found in sandwiches, snacks, cereals, waffles, biscuits and any other pastries.
Manufacturers put neohesperidin dihydrochalcone and in mousses, creams and puddings. The sweetener is also present in shakes, juices, nectars, carbonated drinks, liqueurs, beer and more. It is put in canned fish, marinades for canning seafood, canned pickles, lyutenitsa, compotes, as well as in food products for weight loss.
The applications of neohesperidin dihydrochalcone don't stop there. The compound is also present in the composition of some cosmetic products. You can find it in the contents of toothpastes and waters for fresh breath.
The food supplement E959 is also useful in pharmacy. It is used in the manufacture of cough syrups, vitamin complexes, chewable tablets and more.
Dosage of neohesperidin dihydrochalcone
To date, the increased intake of neohesperidin dihydrochalcone be the cause of any serious side effects. It has been found that taking an intermediate dose of about 750 mg of neohesperidin dihydrochalcone per kilogram of body weight per day has no pronounced effect on the body.
Benefits of neohesperidin dihydrochalcone
Undoubtedly, this sweetener is very useful especially for people who suffer from diabetes. According to scientists, the food supplement E959 does not increase blood sugar levels in the body and thanks to this quality, people whose bodies are sensitive to the intake of ordinary sugar can also safely eat sweets.
The compound is also beneficial for people who are trying to lose weight, as it is used in the production of low-calorie / dietary / food products.
Consuming neohesperidin dihydrochalcone / which currently has a relatively good name / as a sweetener, we do not have to ingest other dangerous sugar substitutes such as cyclamate (E952), acesulfame K (E950), aspartame (E951) and saccharin (E954).
As we know, for years they have been associated with unpleasant side effects, including nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, headache, wheezing, impaired vision and many others.
Harm from neohesperidin dihydrochalcone
As the sweetener Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone is of great interest to scientists, it has undergone various studies and is yet to be studied. So far, however, its use is not known to cause health damage and any dangerous side effects.
According to some scientists, however, when taking the food supplement, there may be softer stools, mild depression, as well as lower food intake. According to them, these conditions are temporary and appear only in the first days of taking the substance.
