12 Alternative Sweeteners to Keep Sugar Away
Few people dislike sweetness as a food taste profile. Sweet is always ingratiating. However, it is highly detrimental to health if it is consumed excessively. Even, to some extent, consuming even a moderate amount of sugar can make your health vulnerable. So, it may sound weird how or why this pleasant-to-taste ingredient can harm health, no?
As a frequently and widely used ingredient, sugar harms health the most, causing liver and heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and so on. Besides these organic hams, sugar, too affects our brain, our mood, lessening our sleep. Extreme consumption of sugar can make us mentally sparred.
So, considering health effects, we should look forward to some sugar substitutes. Alternate sweeteners, as it self-explains, are additional disaccharides that render sweetness. These sweeteners can be improved to proffer zero-calorie or low-calorie sweetening for foods and drinks. Let’s delve into some of the sweeteners that can be an alternative to sugar.
Coconut sugar
Coconut sugar may be the most common alternative to processed sugar while making dark chocolate. It has glucose and will raise your blood sugars, but it will do so far less than the sugar that most chocolate is made with it. As it is unrefined, it never loses vitamins and minerals, so there is less possibility that one may suffer from blood sugar inconsistencies.
Stevia
Stevia is another standard option. As long as it is naturally harnessed stevia, it should not raise your blood sugar. Though it’s not “normal” sugar, it’s every bit as sweet and is a worthy substitute. Stevia sweeteners originate from the leaves of the Stevia Rebaudiana (Bertoni) plant, a South American herbal shrub. Stevia sweeteners are 200 to 300 times sweeter than regular sugar. Despite its high sweetness level, people who have diabetes can consume this variety, as health specialists suggest.
Xylitol
Xylitol is another sugar alternative with some health benefits and is tasty, and has minimal effect on your blood sugars. Xylitol carries a few calories per gram, and the rate is almost 50% fewer calories than that of sugar. There is an inadequacy of fructose in Xylitol. This very primary constituent is widely accountable for much of the detrimental consequences of sugar. Thus, we can consider Xylitol as an assuring sugar alternative.
Erythritol
Erythritol, a non-caloric sweetener, a naturally-originated sugar replacement, is pretty much like sugar in real. Mushrooms, grapes, melons, etc., naturally contain it a little bit. Erythritol can also be made from plant sugars. It basically is white granules or powder that resembles sugar, having a good digestive value.
Besides digestive benefits, another thing to mention is Erythritol never harms blood sugar and insulin levels. The consumption of Erythritol assures no cavity formation, so there is less chance of tooth decay. At the same time, providing zero carbohydrates, Erythritol reduces the risks of diabetes. When it comes to diet drinks and dairy products, sugar-free chocolate chewing gum and candies, Erythritol can undoubtedly be the most assured sweetener in this regard.
Sorbitol and Mannitol
Sorbitol and mannitol are the first ingredients to be sugar-free: sorbitol and mannitol, utilized in foods and associated goods for more than five decades. Sorbitol has been applied to many pieces of stuff, including baked goods, fruits, etc. It is deliberately good for diabetes as it never ups blood glucose levels. Sorbitol and mannitol are mostly sugar-free gum food applications. Non-food use of sorbitol is toothpaste and mouthwash, and both polyols are used directly in compressed tablets. The low glycemic index of Sorbitol and Mannitol is teeth-free, low calories are allowed in most foodstuffs.
Aspartame
Aspartame is another low-calorie sweetener used for decades and is famous for its healthy yet sweet, sweet yet shallow diabetes risk features. Being more or less 200 times sweeter than regular sweet, it never fails to provide its health value. Often incorporated with other sweeteners or food components in prepared foods and beverages, it minimizes bitter flavors and increases the overall taste.
Monk Fruit Sweetener
Monk fruit sweetener is derived from a little round fruit named monk fruit, which originated in Southeast Asia. The Monk fruit comprises natural sugars such as fructose and glucose. Yet, its sweetness comes from antioxidants called ‘mogrosides.’ This natural alternative is 100 to250 times sweeter than sugar, yet it has zero calories.
Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is filled with minerals and 24 different antioxidants. It has a glycemic ratio that is somewhat cheaper than conventional sugar, but consuming it excessively can make your blood sugar increase significantly. It can be used as an alternative sweetener in cakes, oatmeal, and so on. If someone has calorie issues, s/he might consume it carefully.
Honey
Honey can be one of the reliable alternative sweeteners. Honey contains a significant number of vitamins and minerals. However, its calorie level may harm health if consumed unwisely. In sweetness, it is sweeter than table sugar. So, using honey as a sugar substitute may require adequateness.
Date Paste
Date paste can be an easy-to-make sugar alternative that is very rich in nutritional value. The presence of Vitamins, minerals, and fibers made Date a very nutritious food. It tastes sweeter than any sweetener. Hence, the amount of usage should always be considered carefully. Date paste can be used in baked items, milk, sauces, etc.
Agave Nectar
Agave nectar retains less sweetness than honey but is sweet enough as a sugar alternative. This flavored sugar contains fructose and calories. It can be used as a sweetener in baked cakes, pancakes, breakfast items, etc.
Sucralose
Sucralose Is possibly the sweetest of all sweeteners, being almost seven hundred times more precious than any sugar. Yet, it is suitable for health, especially for diabetes. It can be added to any kind of food, including baked items, beverages, tea-coffee, etc.
There are a lot of alternative sweeteners to sweet. So, there is no doubt that you should always look for sugar to sweeten your favorite food item. As time has changed with the development of Nutrient research, you can easily rely on the above-discussed alternative sweeteners.
About the Author
Twigs cafe staff is comprised of editors, writers, food & drink experts, nutritionists, and researchers to create informative and helpful content for health-conscious people.
