EarthSweet (and Cane Crystals; Juice concentrates)
Also known as: Cane Crystals, Juice Concentrates, natural sweetening blend, fruit juice concentrates, crystallized sugar, concentrated fruit juices, EarthSweet
Overview
EarthSweet is a proprietary natural sweetening blend primarily composed of juice concentrates from fruits such as wild blueberry, cranberry, strawberry, grape, and raspberry. Cane Crystals are refined crystallized sugar derived from sugar cane juice, while juice concentrates are obtained by removing water from fruit juices. These ingredients are primarily used as natural sweetening agents in dietary supplements and food products, especially in chewable and liquid forms, to enhance palatability and consumer acceptance. While EarthSweet is a branded blend, its components (fruit juice concentrates and sugars) are well-known. Research on these sweeteners focuses on their nutritional impact, glycemic effects, and potential, albeit minor, antioxidant contributions from fruit-derived compounds. The evidence base for EarthSweet specifically is limited, with no independent clinical trials published in peer-reviewed literature. Cane sugar and juice concentrates have been studied extensively, but mostly in the context of dietary sugars rather than as active supplement ingredients.
Benefits
The primary benefit of EarthSweet, Cane Crystals, and juice concentrates in supplements is to provide palatability, which can improve adherence to supplement regimens. Juice concentrates may retain some antioxidant polyphenols from fruits, potentially contributing minor antioxidant benefits; however, these effects are generally small and not clinically significant when consumed in the amounts typically used for sweetening. There are no high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or systematic reviews that specifically evaluate EarthSweet or cane crystals for direct health benefits beyond their role as sweeteners. Excessive intake of cane sugar or concentrated fruit sugars is associated with metabolic risks such as obesity and insulin resistance, indicating that any 'benefits' are limited to taste enhancement rather than direct health improvements. While some juice concentrates may provide minimal vitamins and phytochemicals, these are usually negligible in sweetener quantities.
How it works
EarthSweet and Cane Crystals function primarily as carbohydrate sweeteners, delivering sucrose, fructose, and glucose from fruit sugars. Juice concentrates provide these sugars along with minor amounts of fruit-derived phytochemicals, such as anthocyanins and flavonoids, which possess antioxidant activity. These sugars are absorbed in the small intestine, contributing to blood glucose levels and overall energy metabolism. There are no documented unique pharmacological targets or systemic effects beyond typical nutritional carbohydrate metabolism. The bioavailability of antioxidants from juice concentrates is generally low in sweetening applications and depends on processing methods and the specific dose consumed.
Side effects
EarthSweet, Cane Crystals, and juice concentrates are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when consumed in typical dietary amounts. However, excessive consumption of cane sugar and concentrated fruit sugars can contribute to adverse health outcomes, including dental caries, weight gain, and an increased risk of metabolic syndrome. No specific adverse effects have been linked to EarthSweet beyond those associated with general sugar intake. There are no significant drug interactions or contraindications reported for these sweeteners. Individuals with specific health conditions, such as diabetes, should monitor their intake due to the glycemic impact of these sugars. Overall, safety concerns are primarily related to the quantity of sugar consumed rather than any unique properties of these specific sweetening agents.
Dosage
There are no formal dosing guidelines for EarthSweet or Cane Crystals, as they are utilized as sweeteners rather than active therapeutic agents. Their usage is typically in small amounts, sufficient to achieve the desired level of sweetness in a product, usually measured in grams per serving. For supplements like calcium or vitamin D chewables sweetened with EarthSweet, the sweetener dose is incidental to the primary active ingredients and not clinically relevant for its own sake. Consumers should adhere to general dietary guidelines for added sugar intake, which typically recommend limiting added sugars to less than 10% of daily caloric intake, to mitigate potential health risks associated with excessive sugar consumption.
FAQs
Is EarthSweet healthier than regular sugar?
EarthSweet is natural and fruit-derived, but nutritionally, it is similar to other sugars. There is no evidence to suggest it offers superior health benefits compared to regular sugar.
Can juice concentrates provide vitamins?
While juice concentrates may contain small amounts of vitamins and minerals, these are usually not present in sufficient quantities to significantly impact nutritional status when consumed as sweeteners.
Are these sweeteners safe for diabetics?
These sweeteners contain sugars that can raise blood glucose levels. Diabetics should monitor and limit their intake, consulting with a healthcare professional for personalized advice.
Do these sweeteners affect supplement absorption?
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that EarthSweet, Cane Crystals, or juice concentrates significantly affect the absorption of other nutrients or active ingredients in supplements.
Research Sources
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34159755/ – This systematic review by Kim et al. (2021) evaluated 315 randomized controlled trials on dietary supplements for weight loss. It found that only 16 of these trials demonstrated significant weight loss effects, highlighting the limited high-quality evidence for many supplement ingredients. The review did not mention sweeteners like EarthSweet, underscoring the lack of specific research on such components as active ingredients.
- https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/proceedings-of-the-nutrition-society/article/systematic-review-and-metaanalysis-of-the-effects-of-highprotein-oral-nutritional-supplements-on-healthcare-use/4881969D36D611FB012767F49F1382C5 – Bauer et al. (2013) conducted a meta-analysis demonstrating the clinical benefits of high-protein oral nutritional supplements. This research focused on the efficacy of protein content in supplements for health outcomes, but it did not evaluate or provide insights into the role or effects of sweetening agents like EarthSweet or cane crystals within these supplements.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22212388/ – This PubMed entry refers to a study, likely a meta-analysis, that further supports the clinical benefits of protein supplements. Similar to the Bauer et al. (2013) study, its focus is on the protein component and not on the sweetening agents used in such formulations, thus providing no direct evidence regarding EarthSweet or similar sweeteners.