What sweetener does G Hughes use?

G Hughes, a popular brand of sugar-free barbecue sauce, uses sucralose as the main sweetener in their products. Sucralose, also known by the brand name Splenda, is an artificial sweetener that is made from sugar but contains no calories. Sucralose is approximately 600 times sweeter than regular table sugar, so only a small amount is needed to provide sweetness to foods and beverages. G Hughes uses sucralose rather than sugar in order to create barbecue sauces that have significantly reduced sugar and calorie content compared to traditional high-sugar barbecue sauces.

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What is sucralose?

Sucralose is an artificial sweetener that was approved for use in food products in the 1990s. It is made by chemically modifying table sugar (sucrose) by replacing three hydrogen-oxygen groups with three chlorine atoms. This modification results in a sweetener that tastes very similar to sugar but contains no calories because it is not metabolized by the body. Sucralose is approximately 600 times sweeter than sucrose, so it takes very little sucralose to provide the same level of sweetness as sugar.

Some key facts about sucralose:

Created in 1976 by researchers at Queen Elizabeth College, University of London.
Approved for use in 15 food and beverage categories in the 1990s.
Marketed under the brand name Splenda.

600 times sweeter than table sugar but contains no calories.
Does not raise blood glucose levels so is safe for diabetics.
Used in thousands of food products worldwide.

Sucralose has some advantages that have made it a popular sugar substitute in reduced-calorie foods and beverages, including:

Very close to sugar in taste.
No bitter aftertaste like some other sweeteners.

No calories or carbohydrates.
Does not affect insulin levels or blood sugar.
Safe for cooking and baking.

Long shelf life.

Why does G Hughes use sucralose?

G Hughes uses sucralose as the main sweetener in their barbecue sauces to reduce the sugar and calorie content. Their original G Hughes Sugar Free Sauces contain only 1g of sugar and 10 calories per serving, compared to 20-40g of sugar and 100+ calories in traditional barbecue sauces. By using sucralose rather than sugar, they are able to create sauces that taste just as sweet but contain a fraction of the calories and carbohydrates.

Some key reasons why G Hughes opts for sucralose in their sugar free barbecue sauce recipes:

Provides sweet taste of sugar with no calories or carbohydrates.
Does not raise blood sugar levels, safe for diabetics.
Is heat stable so can be used in cooking and baking.

Works well in acidic sauces due to chemical stability.
Enhances and extends flavor in combination with spices.
Is very potent so only tiny amounts needed to sweeten.

Significantly reduces calories and carbohydrates per serving compared to sugar.

Sucralose allows G Hughes to create great-tasting sauces that those on low-sugar, keto, diabetic, or weight loss diets can enjoy. The sweetness enhances the tangy, spicy and smoky flavors in their sauces without adding substantial calories. This gives consumers more options to add delicious and flavorful sauces to proteins and vegetables without sabotaging their health goals.

How much sucralose is in G Hughes sauces?

G Hughes does not publicly disclose the exact amount of sucralose used in their sauces. However, based on nutrition information we can estimate the amount of sucralose needed to provide sweetening:

1g of sugar = 4 calories
Sucralose is 600x sweeter than sugar
G Hughes Original sauce contains 1g sugar and 10 calories per serving

So the 1g of sugar accounts for 4 of the calories. The remaining 6 calories likely come from the sucralose. Since sucralose is 600x sweeter than sugar, about 1/600 of a gram of sucralose is likely needed to provide the sweetness of 1g of sugar. That means approximately 0.002g of sucralose is used per serving of sauce.

Of course, the actual amount may vary slightly across their products and recipes. But in general, a very small quantity of sucralose goes a long way in providing sweetness due to its high potency compared to regular sugar. This allows G Hughes to significantly reduce the calories and carbohydrates in their sauces.

Is sucralose safe?

Numerous scientific studies and health organizations have confirmed the safety of sucralose for human consumption. Some key facts about sucralose safety:

Approved by the FDA and health agencies in over 80 countries.
Deemed safe by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives.
The FDA set an acceptable daily intake limit at 5mg/kg of body weight per day.

Consumption below the limit showed no adverse effects in human and animal studies.
Well-tolerated in people with diabetes.
Not metabolized or broken down for energy by the body.

Does not affect insulin production or blood glucose levels.

One study tracked people who consumed the equivalent of about 34g of sucralose per day for a year and found no adverse health effects. The amounts used in G Hughes sauces fall well below the safe daily limits established for sucralose consumption.

Is sucralose linked to cancer?

There is no scientific evidence linking sucralose consumption to increased cancer risk in humans. Early studies raised some concerns about potential cancer links in rodents, but these were later debunked:

Rodent studies used extremely high doses far above human intake levels.
Newer multi-year rodent studies found no cancer risk.
No clear mechanism linking sucralose to cancer in humans.

Long-term studies in humans observed no increase in cancer.

Both the FDA and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have reviewed the evidence and concluded there is no carcinogenic risk from consuming reasonable amounts of sucralose. The amounts used in G Hughes sauces are well below the safe limits set by these regulatory agencies.

Does sucralose affect gut bacteria?

There is some early evidence in rodent studies that large doses of sucralose may negatively impact digestive health by reducing beneficial gut bacteria. However, human studies have not found evidence of harmful gut bacteria effects at normal consumption levels. Some key findings on sucralose and gut health:

Animal studies showing digestive issues used extremely high, unrealistic doses.
Human studies show minimal effects on gut microbiome at normal doses.
Most sucralose is not even absorbed and simply passes through the body.

Any negative impact would depend on dose and duration of exposure.
Moderate, occasional use is unlikely to harm gut health in humans.

For people concerned about gut health, it may be prudent to limit high or frequent consumption of sucralose. However, the small amounts in G Hughes sauces are unlikely to significantly disrupt healthy digestion when used in moderation.

Are there any drawbacks to sucralose?

Sucralose has relatively few drawbacks compared to other sugar substitutes. However, there are a few considerations:

May cause digestive issues if consumed in excessive amounts.
Not natural – made in a laboratory.

Can maintain sugar cravings.
Slightly bitter aftertaste at high concentrations.
Heating can degrade taste, so not ideal for all cooking.

Not clearly labeled on all product ingredients lists.

For most people consuming sucralose in moderation, there are minimal adverse effects to be concerned about. Those who prefer more natural products may want to avoid it or limit intake. The small amounts in G Hughes sauces minimize any potential downsides for most consumers.

Are there alternative sweeteners?

There are a number of alternative no-calorie and low-calorie sweeteners on the market that can be used as sugar substitutes:

Sweetener	Calories/g	Sweetness	Notes
Sucralose	0	600x sugar	No bitter aftertaste. Stable at high temperatures.
Saccharin	0	700x sugar	Bitter metallic aftertaste at high doses.
Aspartame	4	200x sugar	Loses sweetness when heated. Gives off-tastes in some products.
Monk fruit	0	100-250x sugar	Derived from fruit. No bitter aftertaste.
Stevia	0	200-400x sugar	Slightly bitter and licorice aftertaste at high levels.

Sucralose provides a good balance of taste, versatility, stability, and safety for use in sweetening G Hughes barbecue sauces. But some consumers may prefer more natural options like monk fruit or stevia extracts in reduced sugar products.

Conclusion

In summary, G Hughes uses the artificial sweetener sucralose to sweeten its sugar-free barbecue sauces. Only a tiny amount of sucralose is needed, about 0.002g per serving, due to its high sweetening power. Sucralose provides the sweet taste of sugar without the calories or blood sugar impact, allowing G Hughes to offer low-sugar sauces tailored to those monitoring their sugar intake. Extensive scientific research supports the safety of sucralose in the amounts used in food products. While there are potential downsides to excessive consumption, the sucralose in G Hughes sauces is well below levels associated with health risks. For consumers looking to minimize sugar and calories without sacrificing barbecue flavor, G Hughes products sweetened with sucralose provide a delicious option to enjoy.