Thaumatin is a natural sweetener obtained from katemfe fruit, which has the power to sweeten 2000 to 3000 times more than common sugar and has only 4 calories in every 1g. This sweetener is used by the industry to sweeten diet foods and drinks, such as soft drinks, cereals, yogurts and ice creams, for example.
Thaumatin is also sold in health food stores and pharmacies, in liquid or powder form, alone or together with other sweeteners, such as stevia, and can be used by diabetics to sweeten foods and drinks.
Furthermore, thaumatin is also generally used by people who want to lose weight, as it contains few calories. However, according to the World Health Organization, the use of dietary sweeteners for long periods does not promote the reduction of body fat.
Is thaumatin harmful?
Thaumatin is not harmful to your health and, therefore, to date there is still no recommended maximum daily limit for this sweetener, which can be consumed by everyone, without restrictions.
What is it for
Thaumatin is a sweetener that can be consumed by diabetics, because it can help reduce the intake of common sugar in the diet, favoring the balance of blood glucose levels.
Because it contains few calories, thaumatin is also generally used by people who want to lose weight. However, according to the World Health Organization, the use of dietary sweeteners for long periods does not promote the reduction of body fat.
Difference between stevia and thaumatin
Stevia is a natural sweetener obtained from the plant Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni, which has the ability to sweeten 200 to 300 times more than common sugar, and can be used by everyone in a maximum amount of 5.5 mg per kg of body weight per day. Learn more about how to use stevia.
Thaumatin is a natural sweetener, sold alone or together with other sweeteners, such as stevia, and has a sweetening power between 2000 and 3000 times more than common sugar. This sweetener can also be used by everyone, but it does not have a maximum recommended daily intake amount.
How to use
Thaumatin is found, in liquid or powder form, in pharmacies and health food stores, and can be used to sweeten foods and drinks, such as juices, cakes, teas and coffees, for example.
Additionally, thaumatin is also used by industry to sweeten beverages and diet foods and beverages such as cereal bars, soft drinks, juices, gelatin, yogurts, and cookies.
Possible side effects
In general, the use of thaumatin sweetener is considered safe and does not cause side effects.
Who should not consume
According to the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics, children and adolescents should only use sweeteners, such as thaumatin, in cases of diabetes and following the guidance of a pediatrician regarding the type and amount of sweetener.
Bibliography
- UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. Aspartame and Other Sweeteners in Food. Disponível em: <https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/aspartame-and-other-sweeteners-food>. Acesso em 26 out 2023
- WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline. Disponível em: <https://www.who.int/news/item/15-05-2023-who-advises-not-to-use-non-sugar-sweeteners-for-weight-control-in-newly-released-guideline>. Acesso em 26 out 2023
- WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION. Use of non-sugar sweeteners: WHO guideline. Available at: <https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240073616>. Accessed on October 26, 2023
- BRAZILIAN SOCIETY OF PEDIATRICS. Guidance manual: Obesity in childhood and adolescence. 3rd edition. 2019. Available at: <https://www.sbp.com.br/fileadmin/user_upload/Manual_de_Obesidade_-_3a_Ed_web_compressed.pdf>. Accessed on October 26, 2023
- YOUNES, Maged et al. Re-evaluation of thaumatin (E 957) as food additive. European Food Safety Authority Journal. Vol.19. 11.ed; 1-72, 2021
