Beyond Sugar: A Holistic Review of Sweeteners and Their Role in Modern Nutrition

Abstract

This manuscript provides an in-depth review of both artificial and natural sweeteners, including polyols and plant-derived alternatives, examining their sweetening potency, glycemic index, modes of action, and applications in the food sector. The rising demand for sugar substitutes, fueled by health concerns such as obesity and diabetes, has prompted significant research into low-calorie and non-nutritive sweeteners. This work categorizes sweeteners into synthetic options (such as aspartame, sucralose, saccharin) and naturally occurring ones (such as stevia, monk fruit, and polyols like sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol), focusing on physico-chemical characteristics, relative sweetness (ranging from 100 to 220,000 times sweeter than sucrose), and glycemic index, important for their use in diabetes-friendly food products. The current manuscript examines how these sweeteners interact with taste receptors to induce sweetness perception without contributing significant calories. It also discusses their health implications and controversies and limitations regarding healthy and safety data, process feasibility, market application trends, environmental stability, and commercialization challenges. The review also addresses challenges in scaling production and ensuring the economic viability of plant-based sweeteners, offering a forward-looking perspective on their commercialization in the food industry.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Foods, 2025 · DOI ↗