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If you are like us, you probably cave in to sugar cravings at the drop of a hat.

While a sweet tooth makes it a challenging feat to keep sugary doughnuts, cakes and brownies at bay, there is no denying the harm these foods can inflict on our bodies when consumed in excess.

Most people believe the spikes in blood glucose and obesity, which eventually lead to more serious health issues, can be curbed solely by working out; we'd exercise to the moon and back and still remain overweight for all the high calorie desserts and carbs we consume.

Low to no calorie alternatives to table sugar are approved and celebrated for years by international health regulators. This allows everyone to not just indulge in their favourite food, but is also an ideal solution to prevent all the mess ups processed sugar metes out on overall health and body weight.

Here's how researches answer some really relevant questions:

Are sweeteners really unhealthy?

Let's bust the most commonly believed myth first: low to no calorie sweeteners do not cause health hazards. In fact, some researches show that synthetic sweeteners do not cause any health problems in healthy adults.

Studies have also shown the product does not affect blood glucose or insulin levels, enabling it to be relatively useful for weight reduction and helping in reducing high sugar spikes in blood.

In fact, sweeteners are the reason countless desserts get to minimise their sugar content without compromising on taste, hence offering guilt-free, low-calorie options for everyone to devour as they please.

Is brown sugar better than synthetic sweeteners?

It is a popular misconception that brown sugar is a healthier alternative for white sugar.

While brown sugar may contain slightly fewer calories than white, the nutritional difference is fairly minimal.

It is safe to say, brown sugar is different than white processed sugar only in terms of colour and taste. Hence, to maximise benefits of a low-calorie diet, a low calorie sweetener seems like a good idea.

Are synthetic sweeteners safe during pregnancy?

According to American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, mums to-be can consume desserts made out of synthetic sweeteners in moderation as there is no evidence to prove these are hazardous for the mother or baby's health.

Do sweeteners cause tooth decay?

Unlike table sugar, low to no calorie sweeteners, be they sucralose or aspartame based, have no effect on tooth decay; ingredients like aspartame are also said to have no harmful effects on tooth health.

Any sweetening ingredient found in high intensity sweeteners is non-detrimental for teeth. In fact, these are often found in oral health products, such as chewing gum.

Is Canderel keto-friendly?

Since the ketogenic diet disapproves high carb content in daily food intake, nonnutritive sweeteners like Canderel make for ideal sugar substitutes; this is because these prevent rise in blood sugar, hence incapable of adversely affecting a ketogenic diet.

To maximise benefit, it is best to stay under the acceptable daily sugar intake while following the diet.

But what about Aspartame?

Debates around harmful effects of aspartame content in sweeteners date back to time unknown.

Aspartame is a key ingredient in most beverages and confectionary products that does not impact a person's overall health.

According to the American Cancer society, a normal person consuming about 15-18 cans of diet soda will still remain under the acceptable ranges of aspartame consumption set by the American FDA and European Food Safety Authority.

It is now a widely accepted fact that most internationally acclaimed bodies for health regulation deem aspartame fit for daily use; these include, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, World Health Organization, American Heart Association and American Dietetic Association.

Internationally recognised low-calorie sweeteners in Pakistan

Ranging from natural to synthetic and low calorie to no calorie, the sweetener market in Pakistan has a wide variety of products that make it easy for the user to indulge in their favourite foods without guilt.

A household name in the low calorie sweetener category is Canderel, which is a low-calorie sugar alternative produced by SEARLE, Pakistan.

Recommended the world over, a tablet of Canderel is equivalent to one teaspoonful of sugar, holding more than 50 times less caloric content without compromising on palatability.

Another helpful option is a zero calorie, Stevia-based sweetener, Equal, that is quickly gaining popularity in Pakistan.

Here's a quick overview highlighting some of the key points stated above:

To check out more details on Canderel and what it's made up of, read this.

All content within this article is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Always consult your own GP if you're in any way concerned about your health.

This content is produced in paid partnership with Canderel and is not associated with or necessarily reflective of the views of Images or Dawn.com