Stevia vs Sucralose - Which Is Healthier.?
Sugar is as addictive as Cocaine, and it is more harmful than you can imagine. If you don’t believe us, try quitting consuming sugar in any form for a week. The abundance of scientific evidence and growing concern of the people led to the boom of table sugar alternatives like Stevia and Sucralose. Both alternative sweeteners claim to be healthier alternatives to our regular sugar while packing the same punch of sweetness. But which is better: Stevia or Sucralose?
Let’s show you some data backed by science and you can decide for yourself.
What Is Stevia?
Stevia is derived from the leaves of the stevia plant, also known as Stevia rebaudiana. It is said to be nearly 100 to 300 times sweeter than the sugar present in our homes and contains no carbohydrates, calories, or artificial ingredients. This extreme sweetness is due to the presence of a compound called Glycoside. Stevia production involves a refining process in which the leaves of stevia rebaudiana are dried, purified and then filtered to isolate Glycoside in the form of resin.
What Is Sucralose?
Sucralose is another popular zero calories, nonnutritive and high-intensity sweetener. It is marketed as a healthier alternative to table sugar that satisfies your sugar cravings. Data shows that sucralose is about 600 times sweeter than sugar and it is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for regular use. Sucralose is also used in various beverages, baked goods, icecreams and foods as it is a stable compound and does not need any special care. Our bodies only absorb 15 per cent, while the remaining 85 per cent of sucralose is excreted quickly in the urine.
Stevia vs Sucralose: A Detailed Comparison
As Stevia and Sucralose are both widely used sweeteners, you need to choose one which meets your requirements. Sweetness is subjective, and both Stevia and Sucralose have slightly different tastes. But most people who have tried both sweeteners choose Stevia over Sucralose.
As sucralose is considerably sweeter than regular sugar, you will have a hard time managing the quantity and there is also the risk of eating more calories over time.
However, sucralose has not shown signs of increased blood sugar and research on sucralose and disease is indecisive. A few studies on mice show that high consumption of sucralose can lead to cancer. Additionally, cooking or baking with sucralose may create chloropropanol - a potential carcinogen.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recognises stevia as safe for consumption. There is no scientific evidence to show that long term use of stevia can cause any harmful effects.
So, in a nutshell, stevia is a better alternative, but more long term scientific studies are needed. But we would recommend that you use small amounts of stevia every day and try to keep track of your consumption.
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