Objective: the aim of this research work is to identify the most common type and frequency of use of artificial sweeteners in sugar free products and their suitability for obese and diabetic patients. Moreover, a pilot survey was conducted to assess public attitude of use towards sugar free products.
Methods: the ingredient label of 41 products sold in hypermarkets was used as a source of information and 266 questionnaires distributed to public were recorded, collected respectively and subsequently analysed.
Results: in the selected products, the most common sweetener is maltitol, a sugar alcohol, which is used in 29 products (70.7%). Combination of two sweeteners is seen in 32 products (78.1%). It was noticed that the combinations of maltitol with either acesulfame K or sucralose, maltitol and steviolglycoside, acesulfame K and aspartame are common is biscuits, chocolate confectionery and beverages respectively. In relation to the public survey, out of 266 participants, 111 (41.7%) answered they use sugar free products for weight management and 104 (39.1%) answered they use them for control of diabetes. When considering gender and age, the results showed that female and young people (age 20~40 years old) use sugar free products for weight management, while male and older people (41~70 years old) use sugar free products for control of diabetes and this variation was statistically significant (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: maltitol based sugar free products can be used safely by normal and obese people, however diabetic people should be cautious of over consumption due to the fact that maltitol has glycemic and insulinimic effects.