Artificial sweeteners vs. sugar alcohols: What is the difference?

Artificial sweeteners vs. sugar alcohols: What is the difference?

The world of sugar substitutes is complex and often confusing. Many people who want to reduce their sugar intake face the question: What is actually the difference between artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols such as erythritol and xylitol? In this article, we clarify the main differences.

Artificial sweeteners: Extremely sweet, but controversial

Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, or acesulfame K are chemically produced substances that possess enormous sweetness. They are often 200-700 times sweeter than sugar, but contain no or almost no calories.
We do not use these and will never use them in our products.

Advantages of artificial sweeteners:

• Calorie-free or very low in calories

• Strong sweetening effect even in tiny amounts

• No effect on blood sugar levels

Disadvantages of artificial sweeteners:

• Synthetically produced

• Negative health effects 

• Can alter the sense of taste for sweetness and trigger cravings
  
  
  

Sugar alcohols: Natural origin and well tolerated

Sugar alcohols such as erythritol and xylitol occur naturally in certain fruits or vegetables and are obtained through fermentation or hydrogenation. They are less sweet than artificial sweeteners and have a similar consistency to sugar.

Erythritol: The best tolerated sugar alcohol

Erythritol has about 70% of the sweetness of sugar and contains almost no calories. The body excretes it mostly unchanged, which is why it has no blood sugar-raising effect and is particularly well tolerated. In addition, it does not cause cavities.
We use it in F*** THE SUGAR products. (Cookies, biscuits)

Xylitol: The "healthy" sugar substitute

Xylitol (also known as birch sugar) has almost the same sweetness as sugar, but contains around 40% fewer calories. It has a less pronounced effect on blood sugar and has a proven cavity-preventing effect. However, xylitol can have a laxative effect in larger quantities, which is why our expert spent years perfecting the perfect recipe.
We use it in F*** THE SUGAR products. (e.g. F*** THE SUGAR Coco Cloud)

Comparison table: Artificial sweeteners vs. erythritol & xylitol

Conclusion: Which sugar substitute is better?

The choice between artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols depends on individual needs. Those looking for a calorie-free alternative who have no concerns about synthetic substances could try artificial sweeteners, but there are several medical studies warning of the side effects.

 Those who prefer more natural alternatives are better off with erythritol or xylitol. Both sugar alcohols are a good choice for anyone who wants to eat healthily. That is why we exclusively use natural sugar substitutes.