When most people are selecting a powdered supplement, they check the flavour first. Maybe the sugar content. Maybe the calories.
There are however some people who look at the sweetener, hoping to God it's not Stevia (also known as steviol glycosides). These are the people who will appreciate the very conscious decision behind the sweetener chosen for Lama Hydrate, Thaumatin.
Thaumatin is a natural plant protein, and most people have not heard of it. It's not cheap, it's not trendy and it's not as widely used as other natural sweeteners.
What is Thaumatin?
Thaumatin is a natural sweet protein extracted from the fruit of the Thaumatococcus daniellii plant. This plant is native to West Africa and has been used traditionally for generations to sweeten foods and drinks. It isn't a lab invention. It's not a synthetic chemical. It's a naturally occurring compound that happens to be intensely sweet.
From a regulatory perspective, thaumatin is;
- Approved for use in food in Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ)
- Approved in the EU (EFSA)
- Approved in the US (FDA)
It has a long history of safety data and is not considered a novel or experimental ingredient.
How Sweet Is Thaumatin?
This is where it gets interesting.
Thaumatin in around 2000 - 3000 times sweeter than sugar by weight. That sounds extreme, but it doesn't mean Lama Hydrate (or any other product using it) will taste like liquid candy. It means tiny amounts are needed to achieve a very gentle sweetness. The tiny amounts needed to achieve the same sweet profile as regular sugar means calories are virtually non existent.
Because it's a protein, not a sugar or sugar alcohol (like erythritol), it doesn't behave the same way in the mouth. Which brings us to why we chose this natural sweetener for Lama Hydrate.
Why Thaumatin Tastes Different From Sugar and Other Natural Sweeteners
Most sweeteners hit you immediately. Then linger. Then leave a bitter, metallic or artificial aftertaste. Thaumatin does the opposite.
It has;
- Delayed onset sweetness (it builds gently rather than hitting immediately)
- A rounded, soft profile
- A clean finish without the sharp or chemical aftertaste
The sweetener mattered greatly to us from a flavour perspective (so many women don't enjoy the 'diet drink' taste, or are sensitive to overly sweet flavours), as well as how it interacted with the gut. Sugar and alcohol sugars (erythritol), are known to irritate the gut. It goes without saying that gas, bloating and cramps are not what we want to be experiencing after consuming an electrolyte drink. That just just isn't worth the squeeze.
We have consciously avoided stevia, sucralose and sugar alcohols
Here's why we chose to steer clear of these sweeteners;
Stevia
Often bitter at the back of the mouth
Metallic flavour profile for some people
Can dominate lighter flavours
Sucralose
Very sharp sweetness
Can linger on the taste buds
Increasing concerns around gut tolerance for some people
Erythritol/sugar alcohols
Cooling effect in the mouth
Can cause bloating and digestive discomfort
Thaumatin is a protein, not a sugar
This is another advantage. Because it's a protein;
- It does not spike blood glucose
- It does not behave like a carbohydrate
- It does not contribute to sugar load
The superior sweetener (in our humble opinion)
- Naturally derived
- Clean in flavour
- Slow onset, not a sweet bomb
- Gentle on the gut
- Genuinely pleasant to drink
In a category full of artificial sweetness and stevia, we are so happy with the taste of Lama Hydrate - electrolytes + creatine for women in midlife. You (and your gut) will love it.
