Israeli Company Develops Ultra-Sweet Protein as Sugar Alternative
Translated & summarized from Cursorinfo by baba
Israeli biotech company Amai Proteins has created Sweelin, a protein sweetener 3,500 times sweeter than sugar, which shows significantly lower metabolic responses in human trials. Approved in the US, Israel, and Singapore, it's seen as a healthy alternative for sugar reduction.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Israeli company Amai Proteins developed Sweelin, a protein sweetener 3,500 times sweeter than sugar.
- Studies show Sweelin has a much weaker metabolic response than dextrose.
- The sweetener is stable when heated and easily dissolves in liquids.
- It is approved for food and beverage use in the US, Israel, and Singapore.
- Researchers believe it can help reduce added sugar consumption.
Israeli biotech firm Amai Proteins Ltd. has developed a novel sweet protein called Sweelin, which is approximately 3,500 times sweeter than sucrose. Created using artificial intelligence and based on compounds from berries found in West and Central African rainforests, Sweelin is a white powder designed to offer health benefits.
A double-blind, randomized study involving 19 volunteers was conducted at a medical center in Tel Aviv to assess Sweelin's metabolic impact. Participants consumed beverages with different sweeteners, and their blood markers were monitored for two hours. Compared to dextrose, Sweelin showed a significantly weaker metabolic response: glucose levels were 31 times lower, insulin 81 times lower, and GLP-1 hormone concentration did not increase.
Researchers highlighted the importance of these findings for individuals with type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or obesity, as reduced post-meal glucose fluctuations can lower long-term cardiovascular and metabolic risks. Sweelin is easily soluble in liquids and stable when heated, requiring less than 3 mg for a serving of iced tea due to its intense sweetness.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has confirmed the product's safety. Sweelin is currently approved for use in the food and beverage industries in the United States, Israel, and Singapore. Amai Proteins believes Sweelin has significant global market potential, despite the small trial size.
The study authors concluded that Sweelin could serve as a metabolically neutral sugar substitute, aiding consumers in reducing their intake of added sugars. The article notes that added sugar is a common component of daily diets, found in beverages and numerous processed foods.