Reflex Sweetener Stick

Sweeteners are a sugar substitute that are used to create the same sweetness that sugar does, but without the health risks. Sweeteners are beginning to play a bigger role in our lives as more and more consumers become health conscious and become more careful what they eat and drink. This is because sweeteners are low in calories compared to sugar whilst still giving the same sweetness. They are also better for teeth, minimising tooth decay, as plaque is fed by sugar, and if not removed soon can cause tooth decay, so by using a sweetener teeth are less likely to be exposed to a plaque build-up. Most are suitable for diabetics being usable in both drinks and cooking.

There are several different sweeteners available on the market, with differing properties. The three we use at Nutshell are Aspartame, Sucralose and Stevia. Aspartame is probably the most widely used and is derived from a combination of two amino acids and is over 180 times sweeter than sugar. However it does contain an allergen called Phenylalanine. Sucralose, which is a more natural product is 600 times sweeter than sugar and lastly, Stevia which is a calorie free herb, with the benefit of it being completely natural, reported to be between 200-300 times sweeter than sugar.

Only a small amount of sweetener is needed to obtain the same level of sweetness as sugar. Each portion of sweetener therefore needs less powder, the sweetener content of this powder being a very small percentage of the total, the sweetener being carried on a starch or dextrose powder base, meaning that the sizes of the sticks or sachets can be smaller, also saving on paper and ink. This in turn means they take up less space and are lighter so logistics and storage is easier and more efficient.