Final answer:
Artificial sweeteners like aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose offer a calorie-free way to sweeten foods and are particularly useful for those managing carbohydrate intake for health
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering sugar-free options or additional flavoring for beverages, it's important to understand the use of artificial sweeteners and flavor enhancers in such products. Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, saccharin, cyclamates, sucralose, monk fruit extract, and stevia, are commonly found in small colored packets, each color indicating a different type of sweetener. These no-calorie or low-calorie sweeteners are especially beneficial for individuals who need to monitor their carbohydrate intake for health reasons, such as those with diabetes.
Aspartame, 180 times sweeter than table sugar, is a popular sugar substitute made from a methyl ester of aspartate and phenylalanine, which are amino acids naturally present in many proteins. Unlike some other artificial sweeteners, aspartame has no aftertaste and blends well with other food flavors, making it ideal for a wide variety of foods and beverages. However, aspartame is not used in baked goods as it is not heat stable.
While naturally occurring sugars are found in many nutritious foods, added sugars are used to enhance flavor, texture, or preservation. These sugars, whether naturally occurring or added, provide sweetness to foods and beverages but also add calories. For this reason, artificial sweeteners have become a fundamental ingredient in diet drinks and other low-calorie products to allow enjoyment of sweet flavors without the caloric intake.