Kanwaljit KaurDavinder Singh2023-12-112023-12-112022Davinder Singh (2022). Awareness and extent of use of natural sweeteners in daily diet by women of Punjab (Unpublished M.Sc. thesis). Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810202553Natural sweeteners are nutritive and provide energy to the body. Artificial sweeteners are non-nutritive. Various natural sweeteners can act as a substitute for sugar. Besides their sweetening quality, these natural sweeteners are also non-toxic and safe to use. The role of women in the balanced nutritional intake of family members is of utmost importance. The primary responsibility to take care of the health of every family member is on the woman in the house. Woman can change the diet of the family in an exemplary fashion. Keeping these facts in minds study was conducted to measure awareness level of urban and rural women regarding use and benefits of selected natural sweeteners. Four natural sweeteners i.e. Jaggery,Shakkar, Honey and Stevia were selected for study. Extent of use of these selected natural sweeteners in daily diet was also assessed. The study was conducted on 100 urban and 100 rural women in four districts of Punjab. Data were collected by using interview schedule. Study finding revealed that 89 per cent urban and 79 per cent rural women were using three natural sweeteners i.e. jaggery, shakkar, and honey. Ninety nine percent of rural and urban respondents were not aware about stevia and they were not using at all. Medium level of awareness regarding benefits of jaggery, shakkar and honey was observed by 55 per cent of rural as well as urban respondents. But low level of awareness regarding nutrients and nutritive value of natural sweeteners was seen in all respondents (rural and urban). Level of awareness regarding benefits of jaggery and shakkar was more in rural respondents as compare to urban respondents. Extent of use of shakkar for making the value added products was highest as compare to other three selected natural sweeteners. So it is suggested that the professionals who are involved in promotion of organic farming should create awareness among people related to stevia. Subject Matter Specialist of Food and Nutrition Department should create awareness regarding nutrients and nutritive value of natural sweeteners. Awareness should to created about different value added products of natural sweeteners i.e. jaggery, honey and stevia. It may motivate women to start small scale enterprises in value added products of natural sweeteners.EnglishThesis