Sweeteners

Sweeteners are plant-derived materials used through the ages to mask bitterness in foods, as well as to preserve, lend texture to, develop the flavor and color of, and decorate them. Sweeteners—pivotal to the economy and cultural histories of various civilizations—have evolved from being a precious luxury to a commodity of ubiquitous necessity. Initially used sparingly to enhance the palatability of foods, sweeteners have significantly influenced food manufacture and the way people select and consume foods in the twenty-first century. Urbanization and income growth has further contributed to the pronounced shift in the human diet toward increased consumption of sweeteners and processed foods and away from naturally occurring fruits and vegetables and high-fiber foods.