The obesity rate has risen due to high sugar consumption and the lack of physical activity in recent years. Excess weight greatly increases the risk for diet-related chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and strokes. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally. More than 1 billion adults worldwide are now overweight and at least 300 million of that number are clinically obese. Excess weight is a major contributor to the global burden of chronic disease and disability.
As a result, there is a worldwide demand for sugar substitutes to help with weight loss. Developing foods for diabetic patients and others who need to cut down on sugar has become a priority.