Low-calorie and no calorie sweeteners can be added to a plethora of food and beverages as a sugar substitute. They can substantially reduce or eliminate calories while also keeping the sweetness of sugar that consumers crave. On-going research of low-calorie sweeteners suggests that these sugar substitutes can help with weight management and do not affect blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes.
Office coffee service operators have a unique opportunity to capitalize on the popularity of low-calorie sweeteners by offering it as a natural pairing for coffee in the workplace. In fact, a recent National Coffee Association (NCA) report found that more than one half (54 percent) of consumers add sugar and sugar substitutes to their coffee. Consumers have more choices than ever when it comes to sugar substitutes. By offering a low-calorie sweetener that consumers know and trust, operators can build their portfolio while simultaneously catering to consumer demands.
The health benefits
Consumers are choosing low-calorie sweeteners for multiple reasons. First, low-calorie sweeteners provide an alternative for consumers with diabetes and those looking to cut calorie intake. Substituting non-nutritive sweeteners for added sugars in beverages and other foods has the potential to help people reach and maintain a healthy body weight and help people with diabetes with glucose control, according to a scientific statement from the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association.
Low-calorie sweeteners may also affect oral health in a positive way. Mouth Healthy, a Website supported by The American Dental Association, writes that, “Sugar substitutes may look and taste like sugar but they don’t promote decay-causing acids in your mouth that can harm teeth.” While traditional sugars can more easily contribute to tooth decay, research has found that some sugar substitutes actually prevent bacteria from adhering to the tooth surface as they are not fermented into harmful acids. Besides the obvious health benefits they provide, low-calorie sweeteners—especially national brands—appear in many food and beverage items that make them recognizable to consumers throughout all segments, from retail to restaurants, to the workplace.
Brand recognition
Consumer demand for low-calorie sweeteners increased substantially at the turn of the century. Research firm Mintel reported that between 2000 and 2005, a total of 3,920 products containing sugar substitutes were launched in the U.S. Meanwhile, Global Industry Analysts, Inc. predicted the global artificial sweeteners market to reach $1.5 billion by this year. Many OCS operators already provide brand-name coffees and teas for consumers at their locations. Offering a branded low-calorie sweetener could be a natural pairing for current food or beverages in the workplace, too.
Consumers like consistency and offering a branded sugar substitute in the workplace gives operators the ability to give employees the same taste and sweetness in a beverage as they do at their favorite restaurant and at their home. Branded low-calorie sweeteners also already have a loyal customer following, which makes it easier for operators to offer a brand that people know and trust.
Millennials will play an important role in allied coffee offerings in the workplace. The NCA reports that consumers ages 18 to 39 are significantly more likely to use additives in coffee, meaning OCS operators can make the case to locations to include branded, personal-sized low-calorie sweetener packets as part of OCS offerings. Low-calorie sweeteners could be both a positive and desired product.
