Artificial sweeteners have seen tremendous growth in the US food and beverage industry over the past few decades. With the rise of health consciousness and focus on low-calorie options, sugar substitutes have become a $1 billion industry in the country.
CoherentMI takes a deeper look at some of the key artificial sweeteners dominating the US market in U.S. Artificial Sweeteners Market.
Aspartame
Aspartame is one of the most commonly used artificial sweeteners in the US. Brand names such as NutraSweet and Equal contain aspartame. First approved by the FDA in 1974, it is about 200 times sweeter than sugar but has nearly zero calories. Aspartame is widely used in diet sodas, protein shakes, chewing gums, and sugar-free desserts. However, it is unstable when exposed to high heat and breaks down in the digestive system. Some health issues such as headaches have been linked to aspartame consumption by certain people.
Sucralose
Sucralose, commonly known by the brand name Splenda, is derived from sugar and contains no calories. Approved by the FDA in 1998, it is about 600 times sweeter than sugar. Sucralose is very stable and does not break down during cooking or baking. It is heat-resistant and often used for baking sugar-free products. Sucralose is widely found in cookies, cakes, yogurt, chewing gums and many other foods. Long term human studies are still limited but it is considered safe for consumption by major health organizations.
Saccharin
Saccharin was one of the earliest artificial sweeteners developed in 1878. Brand names include Sweet’N Low. It is about 300-400 times sweeter than sugar but has no food energy. Due to past cancer concerns in rats, saccharin was banned for use in foods by the FDA in 1977. However, in 2000, the ban was repealed as evidence suggested these effects were specific to rats. Saccharin is now considered safe for human consumption by international regulatory bodies like FDA and WHO. It is used in beverages, desserts, canned fruits and pharmaceutical products.
Stevia
Derived from the plant Stevia Rebaudiana, stevia is a natural no-calorie sweetener. It is about 200-300 times sweeter than sugar. Native to South America, it was first used as a sweetener in the 1970s and gained FDA approval as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) in 2008. Stevia does not affect blood sugar levels and is heat stable. It is often used in yogurt, soft drinks, tea and various other foods. Some people complain of a bitter aftertaste with steviol glycosides but new Reb A variants are working to reduce this. Stevia’s market growth has been rapid due to consumer demand for natural sweeteners.
Market Outlook
North America dominated the market owing to high demand and consumption of low calorie beverages and snacks. However, Asia Pacific is emerging as the fastest growing region with increasing health awareness and economic growth. Factors such as changing lifestyles, rising obesity concerns, popularity of diet fountain drinks and expanding low-calorie food sector are propelling the market growth worldwide. For more detailed market analysis on key trends, major players and projected outlook, refer to the report published by CoherentMI titled “U.S. Artificial Sweeteners Market“.
