LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND--(Marketwired - November 30, 2016) - Imagine if your favorite chocolate bar tasted just as good, but with much less sugar. This could soon be a reality, thanks to a major breakthrough by Nestlé scientists.

Using only natural ingredients, researchers have found a way to structure sugar differently. So even when much less is used in chocolate, your tongue perceives an almost identical sweetness to before.

The discovery will enable Nestlé to significantly decrease the total sugar in its confectionery products, while maintaining a very natural taste.

"This truly groundbreaking research is inspired by nature and has the potential to reduce total sugar by up to 40% in our confectionery," said Stefan Catsicas, Nestlé Chief Technology Officer.

"Our scientists have discovered a completely new way to use a traditional, natural ingredient."

Nestlé is patenting its findings and will begin to use the faster-dissolving sugar across a range of its confectionery products from 2018 onwards.

The company expects to provide more details about the first roll-out of reduced sugar confectionery sometime next year.

The research will accelerate Nestlé's efforts to meet its continued public commitment to reducing sugar in its products.

It is one of a wide range of commitments the company has made on nutrition. This includes improving the nutritional profile of its products by reducing the amount of sugar, salt and saturated fat they contain, while at the same time increasing healthier nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and whole grain.

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About Nestlé Research

Nestlé has one of the largest R&D capabilities in the food and beverage industry, with 40 R&D locations worldwide and more than 5,000 people working in R&D.

In 2015 we invested CHF 1.7 billion globally in R&D. We work with a range of partners from academia, government and industry.

Our industry-leading research and development drives innovation and supports the constant renovation of our food and beverage portfolio. In addition, our researchers are exploring the role of nutritional therapies to maintain or improve health and are investigating how we can help people look after their skin.

For more information on Nestlé's US impact, please visit http://www.nestleusa.com/