While most people know that table sugar is an essential ingredient to add sweetness to food, it also helps food companies optimize their products such as an inexpensive preservative to increase shelf life, and improve food appearance, texture, and flavor.
Its versatility has resulted in being an ingredient in nearly everything consumers eat. It is estimated that 74% of all packaged foods contain some amount of added sugar. The average American currently consumes approximately 23 teaspoons of sugar a day. Given the enormity of sugar’s use and the affinity for it, numerous non-nutritive artificial and natural sweeteners have been developed to take its place. Yet, none of this is directly addressing the health challenges that are presented by the extraordinary consumption of sugar or other artificial sweeteners.
That means that reducing or removing sugar from food is not simply a matter of replacement with a different sweetener. In this case study by Manna Tree portfolio company, MycoTechnology, they highlight their innovation, allowing companies to use less sugar and achieve the same taste, texture, and appearance objectives.
