Sugar substitute, saccharin, liquid
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A clear, intensely sweet liquid derived from the coal-tar compound saccharin, it delivers a potent sweetness with a slightly metallic or bitter aftertaste that lingers. Nutritionally, it provides a burst of sweetness with negligible calories (8 kcal per 100g) and zero fat, making it a tool for extreme calorie reduction. The 1.96g of sugar per 100g is not sucrose but the saccharin molecule itself, which is metabolized differently and does not raise blood glucose.
Calorie split: 1% protein · 99% carbs · 0% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People value it for its extreme sweetening power—a few drops can transform a beverage or recipe—making it a staple in diet sodas and weight-management plans. Its long history as a zero-calorie sweetener gives it a familiar, nostalgic role in sugar-free cooking and diabetic diets.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The primary downside is its distinctive metallic or bitter aftertaste, which some find unpleasant, especially in large quantities. Those with rare conditions like phenylketonuria (PKU) must avoid it, and some individuals may experience headaches. To counteract the aftertaste, blend it with other sweeteners like sucralose or use it in strongly flavored dishes (e.g., with chocolate or coffee). Always start with a tiny amount (1-2 drops per serving) to gauge personal tolerance.
Key benefits
- Provides intense sweetness with virtually no calories.
- Does not raise blood sugar or insulin levels, suitable for diabetics.
- Heat-stable, making it ideal for cooking and baking.
- Cost-effective, as a tiny amount delivers significant sweetness.
- Non-cariogenic, meaning it does not promote tooth decay.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
Saccharin was the first artificial sweetener, discovered accidentally in 1879 by a chemist who forgot to wash his hands before dinner and noticed his food tasted unusually sweet.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 97.8 g |
| Energy | 8.0 kcal |
| Protein | 0.02 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.00 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 2.0 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 2.0 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 3.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.00 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 1.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 0.00 mg |
| Potassium, K | 1.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 13.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.00 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Beverages, coffee substitute, cereal grain beverage, powder, prepared with whole milk — USDA does not publish this profile for Sugar substitute.
| Tryptophan | 0.05 g |
| Threonine | 0.15 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.20 g |
| Leucine | 0.32 g |
| Lysine | 0.26 g |
| Methionine | 0.08 g |
| Cystine | 0.03 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.16 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.16 g |
| Valine | 0.22 g |
| Arginine | 0.12 g |
| Histidine | 0.09 g |
| Alanine | 0.12 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.25 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.69 g |
| Glycine | 0.07 g |
| Proline | 0.32 g |
| Serine | 0.18 g |
FAQ
Is liquid saccharin safe to consume?
Yes, it is FDA-approved and has been deemed safe for decades. Major health organizations confirm its safety for the general population, though individuals with rare conditions like PKU should avoid it.
How does its sweetness compare to sugar?
Saccharin is approximately 300-400 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar). A tiny amount (a few drops) is equivalent to a teaspoon of sugar.
Can I use it for baking?
Yes, it is heat-stable and can be used in baking. However, it provides no bulk, so recipes may need bulking agents like fiber or starch to mimic sugar's texture.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.08 kcal/g · 1% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 2.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 13.00 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.