Everybody got their poison, and for many people, it’s sugar. The truth is, sugar is tough to avoid because it’s everywhere: in fruits, pastries, soda pops, ice creams. There’s a sense of pleasure as your brain lights up with a flood of dopamine and serotonin. It gives a short term energy boost, and for a moment, it feels amazing. But this addictive sweet pleasure works in the background, causing more harm to your body than just leading to obesity. Cutting sugar tomorrow isn’t realistic, but you can at least replace it with natural healthy sweeteners.
Natural sweeteners fall under a broad category, and some are better than others. They’re better for your health than refined sugar because they can contain vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other healing properties. Sugar alcohols, stevia, and coconut sugar are some of the healthy sweeteners that you can use to trick your taste buds while minimising the metabolic effects of sugar. If you’re having trouble tempering your sweet tooth, the following features might help you discover healthier ways to take your daily dose of sugar.
No Sugar- How to Break Your Habit
Studies show that the average person gets a whopping 13 % of their daily calories from added sugars. Eating too much sugar can lead to serious health problems, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. When the sugar you eat stays in your blood instead of quickly converting into energy, your body can stop responding to the insulin that maintains normal blood sugar levels. According to research, a diet high in sugar can hurt your heart. It’s also believed that sugar consumption is linked to cancer, as cancer cells feed on sugar. Refined sugar is harmful to your health, but you still need a sugar alternative to function and to give your body energy.
Xylitol: Sweetness Similar to Sugar but Healthy
Sugar alcohols are naturally occurring zero or very-low-calorie sweeteners that are healthy sugar substitutes. Unlike sugar, they don’t cause tooth decay or cavities. They are known to help with weight control and diabetes management. One of the top-tier natural healthy sweeteners is xylitol. Store-bought xylitol appears as a white, crystalline powder.
It has sweetness similar to sugar but has fewer calories and doesn’t raise blood sugar levels. With no bitter aftertaste, this natural sweetener is originally extracted from birch wood or corn. It’s a perfect substitute for sugar on a 1:1 basis. Since every teaspoon of xylitol contains 40% fewer calories than sugar, you can enjoy your desserts and candies flavoured with xylitol without worrying about gaining weight.
Erythritol is a Low-Calorie Sugar Alcohol
Most people find that erythritol has a very similar taste to sugar and find the two indistinguishable. This sugar alcohol is made through fermentation and occurs naturally in a wide variety of foods. Many fruits and mushrooms, as well as fermented foods such as cheese, wine, beer and soy sauce, contain erythritol. With virtually no calories and a zero glycaemic index, this natural sugar alternative is suitable for diabetics, consumers on a special diet and everyone who wants to eat healthier. Powdered erythritol sweeteners bake in a way almost identical to sugar and can be an ideal choice for sweetening your coffee, tea and other drinks. Erythritol is a substitute for sugar on a 1.4:1 basis.
Stevia- the Dietitian Favourite
Extracted from the leaves of a plant called Stevia rebaudiana, native in South America, stevia is one of the most popular natural sugar alternatives on the market. Available in liquid drops, powder, dissolvable tablets, sachets and baking blends, it has zero calories, zero carbohydrates and none of the nasty side effects of artificial sweeteners. Studies show that stevia has numerous health benefits. It can lower blood pressure in people with hypertension, lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes and improve insulin sensitivity.
If you need to sweeten something, stevia might be your healthiest choice. It’s about 200 times sweeter than sugar, so it’s often mixed with other ingredients such as erythritol to create natural blends that are five times sweeter than sugar. Conventional and economical to use, it’s an ideal sweetener for everyone who wants to manage weight. Stevia is heat-stable, so you can use it any way you desire. It tastes especially good in baked goods.
Coconut Sugar Has Rich Mineral Content
Nowadays, many people are using coconut sugar as their natural sweetener of choice. It’s made from the sweet nectar of the flower buds of the coconut palm. Coconut sugar is considered the most sustainable natural sweetener in the world, and it substitutes for sugar on a 1:1 basis. It has a great taste with a subtle caramel scent and is ideal for baking, marinades, dressing or sweetening coffee or tea.
Packed with polyphenols, iron, zinc, calcium, potassium, antioxidants, and other phytonutrients, coconut sugar is extremely versatile and now readily available. It also contains healthy fats that are known to help prevent cholesterol and heart disease. Make sure to choose 100% organic palm sugar with no fillers, vegan and with a low glycemic index that allows for a slow release in energy. Its darker, almost earthy flavour makes it wonderful in baking recipes using chocolate or warm spices.
Health and Medical Advices 