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Sweeteners are divided into two main groups according to their chemical structures: carbohydrate type sweeteners that are caloric and alternative sweeteners that are not caloric. Some of them are obtained from some naturally occurring plants, some are produced by chemical synthesis, and some are produced by making some changes in their form by chemical means after being obtained from nature. Artificial sweeteners, defined as chemical compounds that give the taste of sugar, have rapidly become widespread in the food industry because their cost is much lower than sugar. 3 kg of artificial sweetener corresponds to approximately 750 kg of sugar.
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High intensity sweeteners; It is included in the group of alternative sweeteners along with sugar alcohols. Due to their high sweetness, high-intensity sweeteners are used in much smaller amounts than sugar and give the same sweetness as sugar. Persons; tooth decay, obesity etc. Concerns about discomfort are another reason why high-intensity sweeteners are preferred. Sweeteners have created controversy from past to present and it has been difficult to determine their benefits and harms. The dosage and types that should be used have still not been determined. The studies that gave positive results were financed by companies with commercial concerns, which prevented us from believing that even the studies gave healthy results.
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The common point of the studies I have examined from past to present is that sweeteners have a carcinogenic effect and hypoglycemia. It is believed that blood pressure changes may be the cause. Studies still do not say otherwise and confirm that it carries risks.
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The Turkish Food Codex allows the use of synthetic sweeteners, but the amount is not required to be on the labels and the phrase "if necessary" is used.
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Daily safe doses of these sweeteners vary because the concentration of the sweeteners is different. Knowing these will not benefit you anyway, since you do not know the amount in packaged foods.
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In this case, what needs to be done is to pay more attention to reading the labels and taste them. Avoiding packaged products that use aphrodisiacs (aspartame and saccharin, etc.) or using small amounts during the day. It would be a better choice for diabetic patients to choose natural sweeteners instead of sugar when necessary, so that they can stay away from sugar and not be affected by the harmful effects of synthetic sweeteners. It is estimated that stevia extracts have a positive effect on human health. According to some researchers, it has been reported that it has healing properties for hypertension, hyperglycemia and anti-human rotavirus diseases. Tadhani et al. In their study, it was determined that stevia leaves and a product obtained from stevia have strong antioxidant properties.
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Especially phenylketonuria patients should not consume any food containing aspartame.
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It is generally not considered safe for pregnant women to use sweeteners because they pass through the placenta to the baby and cause harm. For this reason, mothers should stay away from diet foods/drinks and artificial sweeteners in addition to sugar.
NOTE:
MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF SWEETTEN THAT CAN BE USED DAILY* *Aspartame 11 mg / kg When consuming these foods, it should not be forgotten that the other nutrients contained in them have calories (milk, oil, flour, etc.) and should be reduced from daily calories when consumed.
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