Sweeteners

Alternate Names : Sugar, Sugar Substitutes, Artificial Sweeteners

What food source is the nutrient found in?

Some sweeteners are found naturally in fruits and in vegetables such as sugar beets. Others are man-made.

How does the nutrient affect the body?

Nutritive sweeteners include sugar and sugar alcohols. Nutritive sweeteners make foods taste sweet. They also enhance moisture, tenderness, and the "mouth feel" of food, especially baked goods. These sweeteners can preserve some foods, which improves flavor and freshness.

Non-nutritive sweeteners provide sweetness without calories. Most non-nutritive sweeteners do not improve the moisture or tenderness of baked goods.