Nearly half of Chilean respondents used sweeteners instead of sugar stevia, which is the most popular

According to a recent "Chile Healthier Chile" survey by Daily Foods, a Chilean company, 49.5 per cent of Chilean respondents preferred sweeteners to increase the taste of drinks such as tea, coffee and lemonade, as well as desserts, compared with sugar.
"Healthier Chile" survey looked at Chileans' eating habits and consumption of sugar and sweeteners, Chile's Newspapers reported.
a survey conducted in 2015 showed that Chileans had the highest sugar use rate, at 59 percent.
consider the World Health Organization's recommended maximum daily sugar intake, which is about 50 grams of 12 teaspoons, Chile's figure was high at the time.
, however, this year's survey found that only 30 per cent of Chilean respondents still preferred sugar, indicating that sugar consumption was limited and alternatives were found.
data show that 49.5 per cent of people prefer sweeteners, 83 per cent of whom are still using sugar, but have decided not to eat it because of the effects of sugar.
, a nutritionist at Daily Foods, says high sugar consumption not only represents poor dietary quality, but also increases the risk of diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure.
, managing director of Daily Foods, said: "Chileans are increasingly paying attention to maintaining healthy eating habits and starting to reduce their sugar consumption.
35.5 percent said sugar determines whether a food is healthy or not.
sweeteners are an option that helps reduce sugar intake, and they have no calories and, if used at the recommended rate, do not have harmful effects.
, there are many types of sweeteners, such as sucralose, tag sugar, stevia sugar, and organic stevia sugar, which has recently entered the market.
, 80 per cent of Chilean respondents said stevia was the most popular sweetener, followed by sucralose (15 per cent).
Stevia sugar is considered the second largest natural sweetener after honey, but unlike honey, it does not significantly alter the taste of tea or coffee and is a sweet, healthy and natural product," says Mr Escobar.
in addition, the survey found that lower sugar consumption reflected a trend towards eating more natural products and less ultra-processed foods, with 66 per cent of Chilean respondents choosing organic foods free of chemicals, pesticides and preservatives.
Of these organic foods, 50 per cent are fruits and vegetables, 18 per cent are eggs and 9 per cent are oily salt groceries, including oil, grains (such as rice or steamed wheat flour), beans and even sweeteners.
for the remaining third of respondents, 50 per cent said organic food was expensive and 38 per cent said it was difficult to find.