Chicago, IL: With an influx of natural sugar replacements hitting the market, a Chicago-based technology scouting company, PreScouter, is asking an important question: which ones are the best? In April, they released a research report detailing just that. The company believes this report could help beverage companies choose sweeteners that will attract health-conscious consumers and diabetics while satisfying the urges of the sweet-toothed. And with evidence surfacing on the dangers of consuming sugar and the harmful chemicals used to replace it, the report couldn’t have come sooner.

The report was born out of consumer health concerns and in light of new taxes being imposed on sugary soft drinks says PreScouter CEO Dino Gane. He doesn’t sugar-coat the situation either. “Sugar is bad for you,” said Gane, “Consumers know this, but they are becoming increasingly weary of all the chemicals that they see on the ingredients list of their foods, some of which is replacing sugar.”

Many of these harmful sugar substitutes find their way into people’s favorite sweetened beverages. Gane says consumers are demanding healthier alternatives because of a “slow realization of the connection between unexplained headaches, itches, and other ailments and the artificial sweeteners in the foods they are eating.”

These symptoms have left consumers wondering if the foods and drinks they love can be made with all-natural and healthy ingredients. Gane is optimistic on the matter writing, “We are starting to see a number of organizations answer this call with really innovative solutions. This report highlights some of the most promising. We think that in five or ten years, these may be the next NutraSweet – the natural, non-harmful NutraSweet.”

Vasambal Manikkam, the researcher who compiled the report, sees a growing demand for these products noting, “Natural, plant-based sweeteners present a growing market that will attract not only the diabetic population but the merging world of vegetarianism and veganism. But first we must know they’re safe for consumers.”

She’s also optimistic about the future writing, “Hopefully, this will be an emerging and innovative means that will add to the ongoing fight against childhood and adulthood obesity in the world.” Manikkam has a PhD in nutrition and food sciences.

Some of the replacements detailed in the report are well established such as Monk fruit sweeteners and Stevia. Others are still emerging, but projected to be of great potential.

This report could be pivotal to maintaining the health and well-being of our population. With diabetes and obesity on the rise, it’s about time beverage companies made a change. And with consumer demand growing, it looks like eventually they’ll have to.

About PreScouter: PreScouter provides research support services to help business leaders make better R&D,  product development and corporate development decisions. PreScouter’s custom-selected teams of Advanced Degree Researchers and Subject Matter Experts connect business leaders with new markets, commercializable technologies, industry-impacting startups, and other actionable data. PreScouter’s growing list of 500+ clients includes GE Healthcare, Coca Cola, BAE Systems, Clorox, and Volvo.