Ant like artificial sweetener? This is a very curious question, considering that this species loves our traditional sugar.
The fundamental difference is in the composition. The solid sucrose we consume in the form of sugar is rich in carbohydrates, one of the ants' favorite foods. And no wonder, the calories from sucrose consumption provide the energy needed for the survival of the species.
The reasonably small amount of sugar that the ants consume is enough to keep them moving, as each gram of sucrose provides 4 Kcal for the little ones.
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Meanwhile, we are satisfied with the artificial flavor of sweeteners, even because they have a greater capacity to sweeten (300 times more than sugar). It is worth noting that, instead of sucrose, sweeteners contain saccharin, a substance that is not metabolized by the body. Hence why ants are not interested in it, saccharin does not produce any energy.
By Líria Alves
Graduated in Chemistry
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SOUZA, Líria Alves de. "Ants like sweetener?"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/quimica/formigas-gostam-adocante.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.
