Instead of Sugar! The Alternative Sweetener War, Who Will Win?

Samyangsa Q-One TrueSweet 'Allulose PLUS' Gains Attention as a Functional Food with Health Claims

Humans are born with an innate preference for sweetness. Sugar has long dominated the human palate, but in modern society, it is increasingly being shunned as a major cause of various adult diseases. In response, alternative sweeteners that aim to capture both sweetness and reduce calories?and ultimately win over consumers’ wallets?are gaining attention. Among the challenging names in the alternative sweetener battle such as Stevia, Sucralose, Xylos, and Maltitol, Samyang Corporation’s Q-One TRUSWEET ‘Allulose PLUS’ stands out and is becoming a hot topic.

Samyang Corporation, a food and chemical affiliate of the Samyang Group, launched two new functional products under the TRUSWEET Allulose line last month called ‘Allulose PLUS.’ Allulose is a component found in figs, grapes, and other fruits that provides a sweetness similar to sugar but with nearly zero calories, making it a next-generation alternative sweetener.

The new products, ‘Allulose PLUS Resistant Maltodextrin’ and ‘Allulose PLUS Prebiotics,’ are the first among Samyang’s Q-One TRUSWEET Allulose products to receive approval as functional foods with health claims. Functional foods with health claims are general foods that can display functional claims when they meet scientific standards for functional ingredients, manufacturing/labeling criteria, and safety/quality standards. ‘Allulose PLUS Resistant Maltodextrin’ contains resistant maltodextrin, known to help suppress post-meal blood sugar spikes, improve blood triglyceride levels, and support smooth bowel movements. ‘Allulose PLUS Prebiotics’ contains fructooligosaccharides, known to promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and aid in smooth bowel movements.

‘Allulose PLUS’ maintains sweetness while keeping calories low at about 35 kcal per 100g, making it calorie-friendly. Additionally, thanks to its chewy texture, it can be used in various dishes such as stir-frying and braising, offering convenience in cooking as well as great taste and calorie control.

Samyang stated, "Following the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in health has increased, and with the introduction of the functional food labeling system for general foods in Korea, we launched Allulose PLUS by adding functional ingredients to allulose." They added, "We plan to expand the functional line by releasing other liquid or powder products containing functional ingredients in the future." Attention is focused on how Samyang’s Q-One TRUSWEET ‘Allulose PLUS’ will perform in the alternative sweetener battle.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.