What Are The Popular Sugar Substitutes And Do They Really Help?
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Are you looking for sugar substitutes that won’t sacrifice the taste of your food? Well, here are some…
Sugar: a friend and foe. Experts dubbed it as the culprit to health deterioration. However, people can’t help but pick it in the grocery aisle or in markets because it makes food enjoyable.
Since sugar is proven a big factor in obesity and other health problems such as diabetes, substitutes sprout. Some of them are super beneficial while some can make things even worse.
Here are some sugar substitutes and what they can do to your body:
Stevia
Stevia is a member of the chrysanthemum family. The leaves and flowers of this branchy plant are sweet because of the two unique substances called steviol glycoside (stevioside) and rebaudioside
There are products made from dried leaves of the plant, working as a tea. In these modern times, machines can filter our stevioside up to 99%, resulting in a high concentration product.
Stevia is the healthiest option as a sugar substitute. It has a zero Glycemic Index (GI), 200 times sweeter than ordinary sugar, and packed with other vitamins and minerals.
Honey
Considered as one of the most popular sugar substitutes, honey is super in-demand. Unfortunately, because people are looking after this, some are taking advantage of it. Some fool people by selling fake honey.
Aside from the taste, honey is a good antioxidant, antibacterial, improves cholesterol, and can lower Triglycerides.
Though found naturally in nature, honey is still high in calories, therefore, not recommended for people who are trying to lose weight. It is also not good for cold drinks since it contains fat.
Xylitol
A sugar alcohol, xylitol is found naturally in nature. Beets, corn, sugar cane, and berries have it. It can lower blood sugar, lessen the calorie intake, and easy absorption of some essential vitamins and minerals.
However, to produce this, many companies use sugar hydrogenation and it involves a catalyst. In this case, many use Raney nickel, which is a carcinogen.
Agave Syrup
The agave plant is one of the essential crops of South America. Now, people are cultivating it because it can be a source of food, ropes, beverages, tequila, and sweetener. Mexico, the number one exporter of tequila, provides hectares of land just to cultivate this attractive plant.
The syrup, which is produced by processing the sap, is also a popular healthier choice because of its low GI, higher sugar content, and proven metabolic results.
Unfortunately, processing the sap results in the breakdown of essential minerals naturally present in it.
Cocosugar
Coconut palm sugar or cocosugar is the granulated form of the sugary fluid of the coconut plant. To produce this, manufacturers place the sap heat until all the water evaporates.
Experts are recommending coco sugar because it contains vitamins like iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium along with some short-chain fatty acids like polyphenol and antioxidants.
Aspartame
Aspartame is a popular choice of companies to add in their “diet” versions of their beverages. Companies produce it by chemically combining two amino acids: L-aspartic acid and L-phenylalanine.
Just like stevia, aspartame is 200 times sweeter than ordinary sugar. As a result, you’ll need less to make your food or drink tastier.
However, studies revealed that this elevates hunger and to prove this point, scientists tested this on mice. It turned out that the group given with aspartame gained more weight.
Monk Fruit Extracts
Monk fruit, also known as lo han guo or Swingle fruit (Siraitia grosvenorii) is a round sweet fruit that has been consumed and used as a digestive aid for centuries in Southeast Asia. The extract monk fruit extracts, which contain zero calories per serving, is produced by juicing without the seeds and skin.
Because of its natural sugar, monk fruit extracts are present in beverages around the world. There are claims of weird after-taste though.
Sucralose
Sucralose is another artificial sweetener that is 600 times sweeter than ordinary sugar and without the calories. That’s why it has been used for beverages, baked goods, and other products that require a huge amount of sugar.
Of course, it’s too good to be true. Actually, there are some studies that consuming sucralose might increase your blood sugar and insulin levels.
Yacon Syrup
Yacon is a root crop grown traditionally in the northern and southern Andes from Colombia to Argentina. However, because of its value, many territories attempted to cultivate this as well.
The syrup is extracted from the roots of the said plant and then boiled until it becomes thick and super sweet.
Yacon syrup is a low-calorie, vitamin-rich, and natural substitute to sugar.
Your Call
Your overall health is not just measured by your sugar or sugar alternative intake. It depends on lifestyle and choices. Moreover, if you’ll ask us, we’ll recommend stevia and monk fruit extracts as healthier options for ordinary sugar.
