1. Alternative Sweeteners By: Mrs. Tate

2. Sugar  Sugar is a sweetener, preservative, flavor enhancer, texturizer, bulking agent, fermentation agent, and it retains moisture. Benefits  Sugar maintains flavor when heated, is an excellent creaming agent and gives cookies their crunchy top. NATURAL

3. Honey  Honey is a sweetener, preservative, flavor enhancer, texturizer, fermentation agent, and it retains moisture. Benefits  Honey lends a distinct floral note to products and contains antioxidant compounds. Lowers tooth decay and cavities NATURAL

4. HFCS  High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener, preservative, flavor enhancer, texturizer, bulking agent, fermentation agent, and it retains moisture. Benefits  High fructose corn syrup enhances fruit and spice flavors, keeps foods fresh and improves texture of high fiber products. NATURAL

5. Natural Stevia is known to be beneficial for diabetics, as it doesn't spike blood sugar levels

6. Artificial Sweeteners  Artificial sweeteners are synthetic sugar substitutes but may be derived from naturally occurring substances, including herbs or sugar itself. Artificial sweeteners currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are:  Acesulfame potassium (Sunett, Sweet One)  Aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet)  Neotame  Saccharin (SugarTwin, Sweet'N Low)  Sucralose (Splenda)

7. Types of Artificial Sweeteners non-caloric sweeteners and sugar alcohols Benefits: Lower calories Lower cavities and tooth decay Little to no affect on blood sugar Sweeter so need less

8. Side Affects The fact that artificial sweeteners are made of chemicals does not help allay the fears and suspicions that are associated with them.  Cancer – Saccharin (lab rats)  Seizures, headaches and attention deficit disorders – Aspartame  Addiction

9. Aspartame  approximately 200 times sweeter than table sugar. Aspartame has been found to be safe for human consumption by more than ninety countries worldwide, with FDA officials describing aspartame as "one of the most thoroughly tested and studied food additives the agency has ever approved" and its safety as "clear cut". NOT NATURAL

10. Acesulfame potassium  approximately 200 times sweeter than table sugar. NOT NATURAL

11. Saccharin  used to sweeten products such as drinks, candies, cookies, medicines, and toothpaste. NOT NATURAL

12. Sucralose  approximately 600 times sweeter than table sugar. NOT NATURAL

13. Neotame  approximately 7,000 and 13,000 times sweeter than table sugar. NOT NATURAL

14. Xylitol  Xylitol is a sweetener, calorie reducer, preservative, flavor enhancer, bulking agent. It retains moisture and does not promote cavities. Benefits  Xylitol reduces plaque formation and aids in the repair of damaged tooth enamel. NOT NATURAL