Get to Know More About Tagatose, Sugar Alternative for Healthy Lifestyle

YOGYAKARTA - The question of what tagatose is often questioned as the trend for low-calorie sweeteners increases. This material is said to have a sweet taste similar to sugar, but the impact is different for the body.

Tagatose is starting to be used in various modern food and beverage products. However, there are still many people who do not understand the origin, function, and safety if consumed regularly.

Dilansir VOI dari laman Tufts researchers dan Science Alert berikut ini beberapa fakta menarik mengenai tagatose:

What is Tagatose?

Tagatose is a rare type of natural sugar that is structurally similar to fructose. Naturally, tagatose is only found in very small amounts compared to common sugars such as glucose or sucrose.

This substance can be formed when lactose in milk is decomposed by heat or enzymatic processes, such as in the manufacture of yogurt, cheese, and kefir. In addition, some fruits such as apples, pineapples, and oranges also contain tagatose in very low levels.

Origin and Why Tagatose is Difficult to Produce

Because its content in nature is very minimal or less than 0.2 percent of the total sugar, making tagatose is generally not extracted directly, but is produced through a manufacturing process.

The problem is, conventional production methods are expensive and inefficient. The production results are also limited, making tagatose difficult to compete in price with regular sugar.

Breakthrough in Bio-based Tagatose Production

Interestingly, researchers from Tufts University developed a new method by engineering the Escherichia coli bacteria to function as a micro-factory. These bacteria are equipped with special enzymes to convert glucose, a cheaper and abundant material, into tagatose.

The key to this innovation is the use of a rare enzyme from a slime mold called galactose-1-phosphate-selective phosphatase (Gal1P). The enzyme allows the biological pathway to be reversed, so that galactose can be produced from glucose before it is finally converted into tagatose.

With this method, the production of tagatose can reach up to 95 percent, much higher than the old method which only ranges from 40-77 percent.

Taste and Content Characteristics of Tagatose

In taste, tagatose has a sweetness level of about 92 percent of granulated sugar. The texture is also similar, so it can provide bulk or volume like sugar in the cooking process.

In terms of calories, tagatose contains about 60 percent less than sucrose. In fact, some sources say its calories are only one-third of regular sugar.

What is the Impact of Tagatose on Blood Sugar and Digestion?

One of the main advantages of tagatose is the way the body processes it. Tagatose is only partially absorbed in the small intestine, while the rest is fermented by good bacteria in the large intestine.

Because of this mechanism, the spike in blood sugar and insulin after consumption of tagatose is much lower than conventional sugar. A number of clinical studies show very minimal increases in blood glucose.

Also read the article discussing the Effects of Insulin Injections that Diabetics Need to Be Aware of

Tagatose has received Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status from the FDA, equivalent to common kitchen ingredients such as salt and vinegar. International health organizations also consider it safe to consume within reasonable limits.

Interestingly, tagatose is also considered tooth friendly. Unlike sucrose, which feeds the bacteria that cause tooth decay, tagatose has the potential to suppress the growth of harmful oral bacteria and support the oral microbiome.

Seeing the characteristics of taste, calories, and its impact on metabolism, tagatose is a strong candidate as a more balanced sugar substitute. With the latest production breakthrough, this natural sweetener has the opportunity to be more easily accessible and widely used in the future.

Thus, understanding what tagatose is helps consumers choose a more balanced, safe, and relevant sugar alternative to today's health needs. Interested in trying it?

Tag: kesehatan diet gula