Sugar substitutes offer a sweet taste with reduced or negligible calories, promoting weight management and stable blood sugar. They function by stimulating taste receptors with minimal metabolic impact.
Sugar substitutes provide a sweet taste by interacting with taste receptors on the tongue, similar to sucrose (table sugar). However, they are either metabolized differently or not metabolized at all by the body, resulting in significantly fewer calories. This can aid in weight management by reducing overall calorie intake. For individuals with diabetes, sugar substitutes can help maintain stable blood glucose levels by minimizing the postprandial glycemic response typically associated with sugar consumption. The specific mechanism depends on the type of sugar substitute.