An increasing number of consumers are seeking out natural sweeteners, shunning both artificial sweeteners and refined sugar, say researchers out of Universidad Miguel Hernández (UMH) in Elche, Alicante, Spain. The demand for alternative sweeteners is rising at a rate of eight percent a year, while consumers are expressing a move away from synthetic sweeteners as well, says the study.

 

The interest in natural unrefined sweeteners is booming due to the expanding awareness of various health problems associated with overconsumption of sugar, says Vicente Micol, the study coordinator. The consumer trend toward natural sugar alternatives, Micol explains, “is linked to the present concern with what is known as the metabolic syndrome and any related illnesses, such as obesity, insulin-resistance, hypertension or hypercholesterolaemia,” Micol said in a public statement.

In addition to the fight against obesity, Micol explains, the state of dental health may also improve with the use of natural sweetener alternatives. Natural polyhydric alcohols such as xylitol or lactitol, Micol explains, demonstrate the added advantage of fighting cavities, as they also serve as “excellent anti-caries agents.”  Stevia, another all-natural no-calorie sweetener, is also gaining popularity, he added in the statement.

 

In fact, Dr. Ellie Phillips, DDS, tells demo dirt, “Xylitol is a sugar substitute that has been used for over a hundred years. Xylitol has a low glycemic index, is safe for diabetics, has a third of the calories of sugar and most wonderful of all—eating 1 to 2 teaspoons of xylitol a day will rid the mouth of the bacteria that cause cavities.”

 

The Spanish trend is one that seems to be happening here in the States as well, but people need to become more educated about their options, Phillips says. “Many people wish to avoid sugar. I do not think people are very knowledgeable about sugar-substitutes—alternatives to sugar. [Despite this] more people are learning that in the world of sugar substitutes there are good and bad choices. I believe there will be a period of education and this will lead more people to give up artificial sugar substitutes to use healthy ones and experience the benefits.”

 

People with special health issues especially must become more aware of the choices, Phillips contends. “Recently more people are learning about sugar substitutes and their benefits—the variety of choices and which ones offer healthy options. Even diabetics appear confused and not very aware of the differences between artificial and healthier choices,” she says.

 

That confusion, says the dentist, stems from the fact that the names of sugar substitutes tend to sound alike. “A big problem is that sugar-substitute names are confusing for the public; for example the healthiest, such as xylitol, sounds much like the artificial counterpart sorbitol. These two similar-sounding ‘sugar substitutes’ could not be more different for your health,” Phillips explains.

 

As a dentist, Phillips explains the effects that these sweeteners have on oral health, among other issues. “Most people do not realize that when they eat sorbitol (for example, in diet chewing gum) it can cause harmful mouth bacteria to grow and thicken, causing gum disease and possibly leading to acid reflux symptoms,” she says. “I suggest that people with gum disease or acid reflux switch immediately from artificial sorbitol to the natural xylitol and see the difference in six months!”

 

As Micol suggests, the potential side effects of synthetic sweeteners are getting more recognition, and as consumers grow more concerned, greater access to natural sweeteners has expanded. “Aspartame is common in many products and has been linked to neurological problems,” Phillips says. “Pilots are not allowed to drink beverages with aspartame before flying because of its effect on vision. I am amazed that people who suffer migraines and headaches are never warned of the dangers and possible side effects of consuming aspartame.”

 

Given these issues, why are artificial sweeteners still so widely produced, distributed and used?  “It appears difficult to make money from selling natural sugar substitutes which are often expensive to produce and supplies are limited,” Phillips explains.

 

Now, however, with the demand for natural alternatives growing, it may become easier to produce them. “Xylitol was originally produced from the wood of birch trees in Scandinavia, for example. Now with demand increasing, alternative methods of production are being developed,” Phillips, who has practiced dentistry in the UK, Switzerland and the U.S., says. 

 

In contrast, says researcher Micol, synthetic sweeteners are cheap, easily produced, and make ready substitutes in many foods and drinks.

 

“Artificial substitutes are used in many products and are very inexpensive compared with the natural choices,” Phillips adds.

 

However, despite these factors, Micol says publicly, synthetic sweeteners “are currently reducing their lead in favor of new, natural sweeteners, where health safety is not questioned so much.”

 

As dieting trends change, Phillips says, so do attitudes about sweeteners. “Ten years ago the US became immersed in a diet trend—a move away from sugar to diet products,” she explains. “Dieters are finally figuring out that ‘diet’ products themselves may be keeping them overweight by slowing their metabolism.”

 

There are two natural sugar alternatives that she and others in the natural health field particularly advocate. “Stevia and xylitol are great sugar alternatives that I recommend,” Phillips says.

 

And, says favorite demo dirt nutritionist Thomas Von Ohlen, MS, NC, “I personally use stevia over everything else.”

 

For information on how to incorporate xylitol into your dental health regime, go to www.zellies.com.