While allulose might be gaining popularity around the world it still seems to be banned in Europe. Below we take a look at some of the reasons why allulose is banned in Europe.
Contents
What Is Allulose?
Allulose is a naturally occurring sugar that is found in wheat, figs and raisins. It can also be extracted from molasses and maple syrup. Allulose tastes just like sugar but, it contributes just 0.4% kcal per gram which is about 10% of the calories found in sugar. This makes allulose a healthier substitute for sugar. Allulose also contains similar functional properties with regular sugar and it can be substituted at a rate of 1:1 with sugar. Allulose does not crystalize when added to dairy products.
Why Is Allulose Banned In Europe?
NB: Allulose is not banned in Europe, it just hasn’t been approved for use.
Although many online sources will indicate that allulose is banned in Europe, this is actually not true. Allulose is regarded as a ‘novel food’ in Europe and a novel food is a food ingredient or food that has never been used before 1997 for human consumption. As a result, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the UK Food Safety Authority need to conduct a series of tests in order to determine whether allulose is fit for consumption for EU and UK nationals. One of the main reasons why they do this is because the use of allulose as a substitute for sugar is a new invention that needs to be looked into carefully. At the present, Europe has formed an Allulose Novel Food Consortium (ANFC) which is made up of 4 ingredient companies namely Ingredion, Cosun Beet, Matsutani Chemical Industry and Sanyang Corporation. These companies are tasked with the responsibility of conducting research and ensuring that allulose is safely introduced in Europe and the UK. Members of the ANFC are also tasked with the responsibility of writing a well detailed petition indicating why allulose should be introduced in Europe and the potential benefits. The petition can take 2 to 3 years to be responded to.
Potential Health Benefits Of Allulose
Helps To Control Blood Sugar
One of the potential health benefits of consuming allulose is that it has the potential of improving blood sugar levels. This is because unlike sugar, allulose does not affect insulin levels or glucose levels. Therefore, if you are trying to avoid getting diabetes then this is a good sugar substitute to add to your diet.
Does Not Cause Tooth Decay
Another health benefit of adding allulose to your diet is that it does not cause tooth decay. Allulose is a naturally occurring sugar and unlike your table sugar it does not get metabolized in the mouth. This means that even if you consume allulose regularly instead of sugar there is a limited chance that you will develop cavities or experience tooth decay.
Low In Calories
Another health benefit of consuming allulose is that it is very low in calories. Studies show that allulose contains 0.4 calories per gram whilst sugar contains 4 calories per gram. Furthermore, allulose is not absorbed by the body the same way in which sugar is absorbed. So you can eat as much allulose as you like and you won’t gain a lot of calories. If you are someone who is on a diet, its best that you consume allulose over sugar since it has less calories.
What Are The Dangers Of Allulose?
Although allulose has a lot of health benefits, it also has its flaws. One of the dangers of allulose is that it can cause stomach problems when consumed in excess. Therefore, it’s important to try and take moderate amounts of allulose even if it’s regarded as a better alternative to sugar.
Is Allulose Available In Europe?
At the moment allulose is not available in Europe. This is because it is still being regarded as a novel food and numerous tests need to be carried out in order to determine if it is safe for consumption. The process can take 2 to 3 years before allulose is made available in Europe.
Is Allulose Worse Than Sugar?
No, allulose is not worse than sugar. This is because allulose is a naturally occurring sugar that is derived from foods like wheat, raisins and figs. Furthermore, allulose has less sugar and lower calories as compared to sugar. Therefore, you can take in as much allulose as you want without having to worry about your insulin or glucose levels going up.
Is Allulose Safe For Gut?
Yes allulose is safe for gut. A number of countries like USA, South Korea and Singapore have actually approved that allulose is safe for the gut. In South Korea and Singapore allulose is actually referred to as a zero calorie sugar and they use it as a substitute for sugar. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) actually approved the use of allulose in food production.
Does Allulose Cause Weight Gain?
Numerous studies conducted reveal that allulose does not cause weight gain. This is because it contains less calories and it can be metabolized quickly by the body as compared to sugar. So if you are worried about gaining weight because of allulose then you do not to worry since it has low calories.
Can You Use Allulose In Coffee?
Yes you can use allulose in coffee. This is because it has the ability to dissolve well in any liquid. Furthermore it does not crystalize when added to the coffee.
Does Allulose Lower Insulin?
Studies show that allulose lowers insulin levels and people with type 2 diabetes are allowed to consume allulose. Although allulose is known to lower insulin levels, people with type 2 diabetes should consume it in moderate amounts.
Conclusion
Allulose is not yet approved for use in Europe, and is still being tested to see if it’s suitable for consumption. It is worth noting that a number of countries including USA have approved the use of allulose and they have noted that it has a lot of health benefits.
