Food: 5 Healthier Sweeteners You Can Use Instead Of Sugar


Refined
sugar has been tagged as potentially detrimental to your health, but
there are tons of rich and natural sugar substitutes you could indulge
in.
Sugar is incredibly unhealthy and should be avoided at all
costs. It is addictive and high sugar intake is also associated with
some of the world’s most deadly diseases, including heart disease,
diabetes, and cancer.
People have become more aware of the dangers
of too much-refined sugar and therefore opting for healthier
substitutes. Though many sugar alternatives still have sugar, the good news is that they are much easier for your body to digest and process, and they bring the most health benefits to your body.

For
a sweet tooth, rather than going sugar-less or with artificial
sweeteners which are often just as bad for your health, here are some
healthier alternatives to try out both for cooking and baking.

Honey


Raw honey which is produced by bees is completely unprocessed and contains lots of beneficial nutrients like vitamin B and iron.
Its
antibacterial compounds also act as an immune-system booster that helps
fight infection in the body. It also has a molecular structure that
resembles glucose, making it easy for the body to digest.
The darker variety of honey has more nutrients and organic, local honey is recommended as the ideal natural sweetener.
See Also: Health Benefits Of Date Fruit And How They Are Eaten

Date Sugar


Date sugar is dried dates ground into a powdery form. It is very sweet and has no additives.
It
is high in minerals like potassium as well as fiber and other vitamins.
It contains more antioxidants than many popular sweeteners.
The
potassium in dates is great for flushing out toxins and
balancing electrolytes in the body. They are also known to decrease
cholesterol, relieve constipation and boost energy, among other health
benefits.
However, date sugar which has a clumpy texture cannot be
used as a direct substitute for sugar since it does not melt. With its
low glycemic index and some subtle sweetness, it is especially very good
for baking.

Coconut Sugar


Organic coconut sugar is unrefined. It is the extracted sap of the coconut palm, boiled and dehydrated.
Coconut
sugar is low on the glycemic index, and also low in fructose. It
contains traces of iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium, we well as
antioxidants. It also contains a fiber called inulin, which may slow
glucose absorption.
This natural sugar comes in a block, paste, or
granulated form and its neutral flavor akin to the sugar cane is great
for baking as it does not affect the consistency of the final product.
Though it may not be sweet enough for tea or coffee like other sugar substitutes, it can be used in a fruit smoothie.

Molasses


Molasses is
a sweet dark syrup made from boiling down sugar cane or sugar beet
juice which makes a fine replacement for refined sugar.
It is rich
in vitamins and minerals, as well as several antioxidants. Its high
potassium and calcium content is essential for your bone and heart
health.
This by-product of sugarcane processing offers about 15
percent of the daily iron requirement for premenopausal women, as well
as vitamin B6, magnesium, calcium, potassium, copper, zinc and more
antioxidants than any other natural sweetener. It is often recommended
as a great vegan source of iron.

Pure Organic Maple Syrup


Organic
maple syrup is a very good sugar substitute. The thick, sugary liquid
produced by cooking down the sap of maple trees contains at least 24
different types of antioxidants.
It contains 70 percent sucrose,
with a low fructose level, as well as other minerals like calcium,
potassium, iron, zinc, and manganese and other beneficial nutrients. It
has a slightly lower glycemic index than regular sugar, so it may not
raise blood sugar levels as quickly.
Maple sugar is even believed
to have anti-cancer benefits as its antioxidant compounds can help fight
cancer, improve your skin, and even fight bloating, among other
benefits.


It’s
especially good for foods like pancakes and waffles. Just like other
sugar substitutes, maple syrup is a slightly better option than regular
sugar, but it should still be consumed in moderation.

Tags:

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *