It is not metabolized and thus adds no calories. Saccharine is derived from coal tar and is calorie-free. It is 300-400 times sweeter than sugar. It is used in soft drinks and low-calorie food and has a bitter aftertaste. Xylitol is extracted from birch wood chips and is used in chewing gums and jam.
Sweeteners come in granular and liquid form.
The Upside Most sweeteners are simple carbohydrates quickly absorbed by the body to produce a burst of energy, helpful for people doing athletic activities or hard physical work. Sweets can delight the palate and provide emotional satisfaction. Sugar use may lead to tooth decay. Oral bacteria feed on sugar, producing plaque. Acids under the plaque cause tooth decay.