Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone(NHDC) is a flavonoid derivative obtained by hydrogenating neohesperidin extracted from natural citrus plants. As early as 1963, it was found that neohesperidin dihydrochalcone had a strong sweet taste. As a sweetener, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone has been widely used. So what are the advantages of neohesperidin dihydrochalcone as a sweetener?

    First, hesperidin dihydrochalcone has a high sweetness (1500~1800 times the sweetness of sucrose). It tastes fresh and has a lasting aftertaste, and has an excellent effect of shielding bitterness. The glycosidic group of neohesperidin dihydrochalcone is hydrolyzed in vivo, and the glycosidic group is hardly involved in metabolism. Therefore, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone has a low thermal value and can be used as a low-energy sweetener.

    Second, at different temperatures and pH greater than 2, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone will not hydrolyze to form free monosaccharides and glycosides. Even if hydrolysis occurs sometimes, it will not be completely sweet. The color of neohesperidin dihydrochalcone aqueous solution turned yellow slightly, but the sweetness almost remained unchanged after it was stored under light at room temperature for several years. Neohesperidin dihydrochalcone shows good stability under high temperature, acidic and alkaline conditions, so it can be used in foods with long shelf life. Under appropriate storage conditions, it can maintain its own safety for up to 5 years.

    Third, hesperidin dihydrochalcone has a slow sweet taste, long aftertaste duration, fresh and pleasant sweet taste, which can effectively reduce the sensitivity of the human body to the bitterness that may be contained in beverages or pharmaceuticals. The Western Region Research Institute of the U.S. Department of agriculture has conducted a toxicity experiment on neohesperidin dihydrochalcone for 15 years. The experimental results show that it has no mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, no obvious toxic effect, no adverse effect on offspring, and fast metabolism.

    At present, neohesperidin dihydrochalcone has been widely recognized all over the world because of its refreshing taste, lasting sweetness, stability and safety when it is used as a sweetener. More than 30 countries, including the United States, Japan and China, have approved its use as a food additive. In 1993, the American condiment and Extract Manufacturers' Federation included it in the list of non-toxic compounds recognized by the Federation.