What are non-nutritive sweeteners?

Non-nutritive sweeteners are substances that provide sweetness with little to no caloric value. This characteristic makes them appealing for people looking to reduce overall calorie intake, manage weight, or control blood sugar levels. These sweeteners, which can be significantly sweeter than sucrose (table sugar), enable consumers to achieve the desired sweetness in foods and beverages without the associated calories that come from traditional sugars.

The other options do not align with the definition of non-nutritive sweeteners. Sweeteners providing essential vitamins are considered nutritive and do not fall under the non-nutritive category. Sweeteners derived from natural sources only may include both nutritive and non-nutritive types, making that option too broad. Lastly, sweeteners that enhance protein content are unrelated to the primary function and purpose of non-nutritive sweeteners, which focus primarily on providing sweetness without contributing calories.