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  Why You Should Switch to Natural Sweeteners

It's an unfortunate truth that much of the world runs on artificial sweeteners, and many of the foods we consume contain them. Many people enjoy using these sweeteners mostly because they contain zero calories, but all that glitters certainly isn't gold, as there are drawbacks to these advantages.

 'Natural' Sugars Are Not Better for You Than Regular Sugar

Experts tell us why using agave, coconut sugar, raw honey, maple syrup, or any other sweetener with a health halo is not going to make you any healthier.

 'Natural' Sugars Are Not Better for You Than Regular Sugar

Experts tell us why using agave, coconut sugar, raw honey, maple syrup, or any other sweetener with a health halo is not going to make you any healthier.

 Are Natural Sweeteners Good For Your Health?

Since natural sweeteners are used, some individuals might not think it's all that horrible; after all, the word "natural" has to mean something, right? Well, not to make you bitter, but it's not always the case.

 Are ‘Natural’ Sweeteners Healthy?

I do get a bit worked up when a certain 3-year-old puts my shoes in the toilet. But you know what pisses me off even more? It’s when I read blogs and cookbooks that use ‘natural’ sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, dates or agave and imply that these are a better choice than regular white sugar. I know it’s tempting to fall into this trap. I’ve been there myself.

 Better than Sugar? 5 Natural Sweeteners Demystified

More flavorful alternatives to white sugar abound, but are they any healthier for you? Here’s a guide to what’s actually in your sweetener of choice.

 Does It Matter If a Sweetener Is “Natural”?

The ancestral health community and other heath-conscious bloggers have increasingly embraced natural sweeteners such as honey, stevia, and maple syrup as healthier alternatives to refined sugar. But just how much healthier, really, are these natural sweeteners? But if you’re looking for health benefits beyond simply replacing refined sugar with something a little healthier, current research (and tradition) sides with honey and stevia.

 What exactly is a "natural" sweetener? It's not what you might think

We all have different ideas about what a natural sweetener means and usually, it is not in line with the FDA's view. My goal was to make you aware that sweeteners carrying the "natural" claim may be highly refined and processed, or even synthetically produced by enzymes or fermentation. Synthetic sweeteners are not the same as artificial -- which are those not found in nature. Synthetic sweeteners are identical copies of sweet-tasting components of plants.

Articles of Interest

The New World's Natural Sweeteners

Maple syrup and maple sugar (dehydrated maple syrup) were the New World's first natural sweeteners. Long before European settlers arrived with the European honeybee to make honey, American Indians dwelling in the Northeast were setting up sugaring camps among the plentiful sugar maple trees each spring. These camps produced an indigenous nutrient-rich sweetener high in minerals.

A Comprehensive Guide to the 4 Best Natural Sweeteners

Humans are hard wired for sugar. Fruit, pastries, soda pop – it starts when sugar molecules bind to taste receptors on your tongue. Then, there’s a sense of pleasure, as your brain lights up with a flood of dopamine and serotonin. And, for the moment, sugar is amazing. But, here’s the kicker. Eventually that sugar rush comes crashing down, contributing to cavities, obesity, and diabetes. Yet, still you crave the sweet stuff.

Are Natural Sweeteners Healthy

The bottom line is that although some sweeteners are labeled as healthy, they can still negatively affect your health. Being conscious of what you’re putting in your body and adhering to the “everything in moderation” motto can help you stay healthy while still enjoying the sweet things in life.

Are there natural sweeteners that won’t raise my blood sugar?

Anyone shopping for a low-carb, low-sugar, or keto diet has probably seen some of these sweeteners in ingredient lists. Stevia is perhaps the most well known, but there’s also allulose, monk fruit, and yacon syrup to consider.

Are These New Natural Sweeteners Good for You?

This next generation seems way more wholesome than its chem-lab predecessors. But are these sugar subs better for you?

Are ‘Natural’ Sweeteners Healthier Than Sugar?

Natural sweeteners are considered healthier than conventional sugar because these sweeteners usually contain more vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other bioactive molecules that may be healthful. However, just because they have more nutrients than conventional sugar does not mean that frequent consumption of these sweeteners is encouraged. It’s important to practice moderation as most of these sweeteners contain other ingredients.

Ditch the Sugar for These 11 Better-for-You Sugar Substitutes

The health-conscious part of you knows you should cut back on added sugar. Eating too much sugar has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and even cognitive decline. But your sweet tooth refuses to be ignored. What to do?

Honey: The Buzz on This Natural Sweetener’s Health Benefits

Stirred into tea or squeezed into lemonade. A dollop on yogurt. A drizzle on granola. Honey sweetens our world in so many ways! One of the best sugar substitutes available, it brings a welcome taste, but did you know honey can also contribute to your vitality and overall wellness with myriad health benefits?

How 'Natural' Is Stevia?

It may be sweet and calorie-free, but extracting that flavor from a plant requires serious chemical interventions.

Natural Sweeteners: Not All The Same, And Not All Good For You

Natural Caloric Sweeteners. That’s a fancy name for the stuff we might ordinarily think of as natural – sweeteners like honey, maple syrup and fruit juice. The big problem with them is in the second word of their category name, though: caloric. If you use these sugar alternatives in order to avoid the calories and carbs in sugar, you’re going to be severely disappointed.

Old-Fashioned Nutritive Sweeteners Are On The Rise

Everything old is new again, or at least that’s what it’s sounding like for food processors wanting to formulate with natural sweeteners.

Surely Nothing This Yummy Can Be So Good For You?

Yacón Syrup is a delicious sweet FOS-rich syrup which is extracted from the root of the yacón and it’s a great way to indulge your sweet tooth healthily.

The Best Foods to Use as Natural Sweeteners

Using naturally sweet foods instead of sugar to sweeten is a culinary trick with a long and honored past. Sugar was rationed during the Second World War because transporting it across oceans was so dangerous. But, the people must have bread and cake. So home cooks figured out how to sweeten their foods without an endless supply of sugar. Carrot cake and fruit cake earned their popularity in victory cookbooks.

The Danger of Natural Sweeteners

Let’s just cut straight to the point: natural sweeteners and sugar alcohols have been just as problematic as sugar and artificial sweeteners in over 80% of the 14,000 clients I’ve worked with over the last decade. It doesn’t matter how good their diet is, whether they’re men or women, or how active they are, natural sweeteners prove to be counterproductive towards my client’s achieving their health goals. Common examples you’ve likely heard of include stevia, xylitol, erythritol or Swerve.

The FBC Guide to Natural Sweeteners

Natural sweeteners... contain beneficial nutrients. But they are a form of sugar. Natural sweeteners are a healthier option; this doesn't mean you should eat dairy-free, honey-sweetened ice cream or gluten-free chocolate chip cookies every single night.

The Great Debate Between Artificial & Natural Sweeteners

At a time when people are increasingly aware of what they eat, we are seeing a continued interest in natural foods. While natural sweeteners are still considered an added sugar, they are less processed and a more natural option than standard table sugar, making them very appealing.

Top 6 Natural Sweeteners & Sugar Alternatives

Unlike white sugar, there are sweet alternatives from nature that won’t cause inflammation in your body, increase your chance of so many diseases or rack up your empty calorie quota.

Understanding Artificial Sweeteners and Natural Sweeteners

Natural sweeteners like monk fruit, stevia, allulose, and yacon syrup, do not increase your blood sugar levels. Some of them might even be beneficial in terms of enhanced metabolism, digestion, weight-reduction, lower insulin, or even lower glucose levels (as in yacon syrup).

Understanding Natural Sweeteners & Sugar Alternatives

Natural sweeteners, also known as natural sugars, come from plants or made from animals (bees) with little to no processing. They have grown in popularity as consumers are looking for alternatives to both sugar and non-nutritive sweeteners. Natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar have gained popularity as healthy sugar alternatives. They still provide energy like sugar, but they may also provide some potential health benefits instead of just being "empty calories". However, these natural sweeteners should still be enjoyed in moderation.

What Natural Sweeteners Are The Best?

The main benefits of natural sweeteners are that they contain beneficial components and the human body knows how to process them. Aside from stevia and monk fruit, all of the above natural sweeteners add sweetness while also providing key vitamins and minerals.

What’s the difference between sugar, other natural sweeteners and artificial sweeteners? A food chemist explains sweet science

The simplest sugars are single-molecule sugars called monosaccharides. You’ve probably heard of some of these. Glucose is the most basic sugar and is mostly made by plants. Fructose is a sugar from fruit. Galactose is a sugar in milk. Table sugar – or sucrose, which comes from sugar cane – is an example of a dissacharide, a compound made of two monosaccharides.

Resources

4 Sugar Alternatives Your Kitchen Needs to Know About

In one long-term study of more than 750 people over age 65, the heavy consumption of low-calorie sweeteners was associated with weight gain and higher type 2 diabetes and heart disease rates. That’s why sugar alternatives, not artificial copycats, are becoming more and more widely used—especially in healthcare communities that serve patients with diabetes.

NutritionFacts.org

In terms of nutritional value, sugar and corn syrup are roughly equal in that they have basically no nutritional value. High fructose corn syrup, however, has been found to be contaminated with mercury and should probably be avoided. Two sweeteners, black strap molasses and date sugar (just powdered whole dates), do actually have significant nutritional value. Most artificial sweeteners have been linked to health problems, at least in rare cases. Stevia appears to be harmless as long as you don’t consume too much.