Tagatose, a sweetener with many possibilities

The tagatosa it is obtained from the lactose present in milk. Through a chemical process, the glucose present in the lactose is eliminated, leaving only the galactose, later by fermentation the tagatose is obtained.

Due to its similarity in both flavor and texture, it can substitute for sugar white for use in the kitchen, as an ingredient in the preparation of jams, desserts ... In addition, it is heat stable so it is also suitable for confectionery.

It is sold in specialized stores, but more and more we can find it in supermarkets in liquid, tablets and in granular form.

Properties and benefits of tagatose

• Sweet taste, very similar to sucrose, but with fewer calories, 1.5 kcal per gram of tagatose.
• It has a lower glycemic index than other sweeteners such as maltitol and sorbitol.
• It does not raise blood sugar.
• Hypoglycemic effect and helps regulate insulin and glucose metabolism.
• Improves the lipid profile.
• It does not cause cavities.
• It acts as a prebiotic.

Is it a safe substance?

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) accept the D-tagatose as it qualifies as safe foodThis means that there is sufficient scientific basis and history of use to be able to give it this classification.

3 Studies that emphasize its advantages

•  A study conducted by the University of San Sebastián in Chile, published in the scientific journal , showed that tagatose has hypoglycemic effects, It is able to lower blood sugar levels and helps regulate insulin and glucose metabolism.

It seems that its absorption is 20-25%, so the sugar that reaches the blood is much lower, and with it also the amount of insulin necessary to metabolize it. The study was tested in patients with.

• Another study of the University of Maryland showed that the consumption of D-tagatose minimizes the rise in plasma glucose during oral glucose tolerance tests in subjects with type II diabetes mellitus and reduces body weight, in addition to cholesterol improvements.

The metabolic effects of D-tagatose were explored in 8 human subjects with diabetes mellitus for 1 year, obtaining significant improvements in body weight (a loss of 5 Kg on average) and an improvement in the lipid profile, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. (HDL) or known as "good" cholesterol increased progressively in the months that the study lasted. Although the study has a very small sample size, the significant improvements open the way to study whether D-tagatose may be useful in the management of patients with diabetes II.

• According to publications of the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Consuming tagatose grants. Some of the tagatose is not absorbed in the small intestine reaching the large intestine, where intestinal bacteria, including lactobacillus, are capable of fermenting tagatose promoting the production of butyrate and bacterial lactic acid, and thus improving the digestive system. Specifically the butyrate has anti-inflammatory effects.

Who is it suitable for?

• Insulin resistance patients, with diabetes, since the glycemic index is very very low, so it does not stimulate insulin production.
• People who are overweight or obese or people and / or with metabolic syndrome, since it is indicated in low calorie diets as it has 60% fewer calories than sugar.
• People who suffer, because in the process this sugar is completely eliminated.
• People who must take care of the digestive system as it promotes the production of butyrate and bacterial lactic acid. Grants prebiotic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Contraindications

• In high amounts it can cause digestive discomfort, like other polyalcohols.
• It is important to check that the tagatose be pure, otherwise it is likely that it may be mixed with other ingredients that can cause intolerances.
• It is not indicated in fructose intolerance or malabsorption, since it uses the same metabolic pathway as this one.

Did you know that tagatose was discovered by NASA?

The discovery of tagatose dates back to the 1990s when NASA researchers conducted experiments to detect life on Mars. Using different nutrients to try to determine the presence of microbial life in soil samples from Mars, tagatose was discovered by chance.

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What you should know:

• D-Tagatose is classified as safe food, which means that there is sufficient scientific basis and history of use to be able to give it this classification.
• Tagatose has hypoglycemic effects, is capable of lowering blood sugar levels and helps regulate insulin and glucose metabolism, making it suitable for diabetics.
• Its flavor is as sweet as sucrose, but with fewer calories, specifically 1.5 kcal per gram of tagatose.

Diploma in Human Nutrition and Dietetics Master in Pediatric Nutrition and Sports Nutrition