Good news for dieters! This oil has zero sugar, zero fat, and zero calories?

Review expert: Wang Guoyi, Postdoctoral Fellow in Nutrition and Food Safety, China Agricultural University

Don't want sweets? No problem!

In the modern food market, zero-calorie foods are becoming more and more popular. Almost all foods you can think of have "zero-calorie" categories, such as zero-calorie cola, zero-calorie pasta and zero-calorie jelly. Food manufacturers claim that these foods are similar to regular foods in taste and flavor, but without real sugar, which provides convenience for people who need to lose weight and control sugar.

Source | pixabay

The sugar problem has been solved to a certain extent, so is there a kind of fried food that people can eat with confidence - or in other words, is there a "zero-calorie cooking oil" that can replace fat?

1

Why oil substitutes have not become popular

Sugar substitutes are well-known in the food industry. They are sweet but not greasy, contain almost no calories, and avoid the negative effects of traditional sugars such as high blood sugar and obesity, and are loved by consumers. They are widely used in various foods and beverages, such as low-sugar or sugar-free desserts, beverages, chewing gum, etc.

However, when it comes to oil substitutes, it’s a bit of a pity – their widespread use is subject to some restrictions and challenges, and they are not widely accepted.

Why? First of all, it is because they are "too busy" - oils not only provide calories in the food manufacturing process, but also serve as carriers of many nutrients and essential fat-soluble vitamins , which is much more complicated than the role of sugar. In addition, it is also because "it is expensive but not necessarily for a reason" - oil substitutes are not only expensive to produce , but also require a lot of research and development and testing, and their taste and mouthfeel are different from traditional oils , not to mention the doubts that consumers have about the health effects of oils.

In fact, there are already some fat substitutes or zero-calorie cooking oils on the market, such as zero-calorie "edible oil" (sucrose polyester).

2

What is zero-calorie "cooking oil"?

Calorie-free and zero-calorie "edible oil", also known as sucrose polyester, is a synthetic oil. Its characteristic is that it provides almost no calories, so it is widely called "zero-calorie" or "calorie-free" cooking oil.

Source | Baidu Encyclopedia

So, how does zero-calorie cooking oil help us? It is a very stable substance made by chemical reaction of sucrose and fatty acids. It is usually advertised as a zero-calorie or low-calorie cooking oil substitute. It can be used at high temperatures and is suitable for cooking and baking. This cooking oil substitute does not provide calories because it is not digested and absorbed by the human body, but has a lubricity and texture similar to traditional cooking oil and does not change the flavor of food. This makes it very attractive, especially for those who want to reduce calorie intake.

Imagine if you want to stay in shape but don't want to give up the fun of cooking, you might choose to use healthy cooking oil. And zero-calorie cooking oil is such an option. It allows you to enjoy delicious food without worrying about consuming too many calories. Like a smart housekeeper, it helps you control calorie intake, allowing you to enjoy delicious food while maintaining a healthy figure.

3

Why hasn't it been widely promoted?

Calorie-free "edible oil" sounds like good news for dieters, but sucrose polyester is still a newcomer in the food industry. Its safety and effectiveness need to be further evaluated, and corresponding regulations and standards need to be formulated. Although the evaluation results show that sucrose polyester is safe and effective, there are also studies that show that excessive intake will affect the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and may cause some adverse reactions, such as bloating, diarrhea, nausea, etc.

Source | pixabay

Sucrose polyester, this "outlier" in the food world, does bring some mystery to our health.

Sucrose polyesters and real oils are like twin brothers in the world of chemistry. They have certain similarities with each other. They can both provide a texture similar to traditional cooking oils, with lubricity and grease. The two are similar in appearance, taste and cooking characteristics, but their molecular structures and properties are very different. Therefore, their digestion processes in the human body are also different. The purpose of sucrose polyesters is to provide a texture similar to oils, and they do not have the nutritional value and energy of real oils.

4

Are products containing sucrose polyester circulating on the market?

Indeed, products containing sucrose polyester can be found on the market, and it was recognized as a new food ingredient in China in 2010. Since it does not provide energy, sucrose polyester is used as a food additive in low-calorie or zero-calorie foods. These products may include low-calorie beverages, zero-calorie candies, dietary yogurt, low-calorie bread, etc., and are usually labeled as "zero calories" or "no calories."

The emergence of these products is undoubtedly a blessing for those who need to control calorie intake. However, since it cannot provide the nutrients needed by the human body and may affect the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, long-term dependence on sucrose polyester may lead to the deficiency of essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins and cause malnutrition . When using sucrose polyester or other synthetic edible oil substitutes, it is still necessary to control the amount and combine it with a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Source | pixabay

Zero-calorie cooking oil is like a treasure waiting to be developed. Although it has many advantages, it still requires us to understand and accept it more deeply. Maybe one day, it will become our new partner in healthy eating, but now, it is still trying to enter the lives of more people.