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This is an archive article published on November 4, 2006
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Given the inherent nature of our predilection for sweet foods almost from the time of birth, it is no surprise that we have added sugar to many foods.
Written by Neelanjanasingh
November 4, 2006 12:00 AM IST
2 min read
2 min read
Given the inherent nature of our predilection for sweet foods almost from the time of birth, it is no surprise that we have added sugar to many foods. Though I am no historian of nutrition, it is natural to presume that honey has been one of the first sweeteners. However, the common sugar that we use has also been in use for a very long time.
The next phase in the sugar story came with the advent of artificial sweeteners. Surprisingly, artificial sweeteners were not brought into use to help the obese or for diabetics. The reasons were purely commercial! The first sweetener was synthesized to reduce production costs and overcoming the shortage of sugar. During the two world wars, this discovery was very well taken.
Later on, with the recovery of western economies with the attendant improvements in living standards, the fortune of artificial sweeteners did a turnaround. Wealth brought a change in eating habits and obesity became ahealth concern. The use of artificial sweeteners proliferated. Today artificial sweeteners are added to a variety of foods, drinks and drugs. Surprisingly, the wide usage of these sweeteners has not dented the problem of obesity.
For, to give an example, while people choose a diet soft drink over a sugar-based one, they compensate by imbibing extra calories from other sources.
This, of course, should not be interpreted as the freedom to grab a sugared soft drink but the benefit of using an artificial sweetener comes only if the overall calorie consumption is reduced. At the same time sweeteners allow you to enjoy the taste of sweetness.
Senior nutrition consultant, PSRI, New Delhi Next week: Some controversies about sugar
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