What is the difference between alternate sugar substitutes?
In the United States, five sugar substitutes have been approved for use. They are saccharin, aspartame, sucralose, neotame, and acesulfame potassium. There is also an herbal supplement, stevia, used as a sweetener. The majority of sugar substitutes approved for food use are artificially-synthesized compounds. However, some natural sugar substitutes are known, including sorbitol and xylitol, which are found in berries, fruit, vegetables, and mushrooms. Some non-sugar sweeteners are known as “sugar alcohols.” These are, in general, less sweet than sucrose, but have similar properties and can be used in a wide range of food products.
