New sweetener, 3,500 times sweeter than sugar, which does not affect blood sugar levels

Artificial sweeteners contain no calories, but some can still influence how the body responds to sugar, which may be a concern for people monitoring their blood glucose levels. Researchers at biotechnology company Amai Proteins Ltd. have developed and tested, in collaboration with Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Centre, a new type of sweetener approximately 3,500 times sweeter than ordinary sugar (sucrose) by weight.

According to Science Alert, a pivotal clinical study showed that this product has no significant effect on either blood glucose levels or insulin levels. The research, published in the journal Food Chemistry, indicates that the sweetener produced a glycaemic response 31 times lower than that of ordinary sugar and an insulin response 81 times lower. No increase in GLP-1 levels was observed either — a hormone released by the body after meals.

This is the first study of its kind to examine the metabolic effects of a so-called "sweet protein". These proteins are found in certain rare tropical fruits and are at least 1,000 times sweeter than sugar — they are believed to have evolved to attract primates, including human ancestors.

An African fruit as the source of inspiration

The new sweetener was developed from the serendipity berry (Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii), a fruit from the tropical forests of West and Central Africa, known for containing one of the sweetest naturally occurring proteins in existence. The genetically modified version, optimised with the help of artificial intelligence, has been given the name "sweelin".

3 milligrams — enough for one cup

Sweelin comes in the form of a white powder that dissolves easily in liquids. It is such a potent sweetener that fewer than 3 milligrams are sufficient for a standard serving of iced tea. It also withstands high temperatures, and the manufacturer claims it can replace up to 70% of the sugar used in certain recipes. The product is already approved for use in foods, beverages, and confectionery in the USA, Singapore, and Israel.

The researchers caution, however, that further, larger-scale studies are needed to determine whether this sweetener could be beneficial in managing diabetes. The recent clinical study was funded by Amai Proteins and conducted at Sourasky Medical Centre in Tel Aviv, which could support the company's expanding sales and production.

The trial was small in scale and short in duration, which is why the results must be interpreted with caution — no firm conclusions can be drawn regarding the long-term health effects on a broader population. Nevertheless, the initial data are considered promising.

The study involved 19 participants, whose blood glucose, insulin, and GLP-1 levels were monitored for 120 minutes after consuming a drink containing a high dose of sweelin. During separate visits, spaced one week apart and conducted in random order, each participant repeated the test by consuming a stevia-sweetened drink and a dextrose-sweetened drink.