Sugar is an addiction that a lot of us have a problem breaking. It is the single worst ingredient in the modern diet and a huge reason why so many people are overweight. It can have harmful effects on metabolism and contribute to all sorts of diseases. Sugar is one of those foods that is considered a food that contains empty calories. It contains a lot of calories, with no essential nutrients aka all of the calories are empty. It also causes tooth decay by feeding the harmful bacteria in the mouth. And really the list goes on and on about how bad it is for you. Instead of harping on all the negatives, let us chat about some alternatives that might be a better option for you, like Stevia, Xylitol, or Coconut Sugar.
Stevia
What is Stevia?
The sugar substitute is extracted from the stevia plant. A species called Stevia rebaudiana is naturally grown in Brazil and Paraguay, where it has been used for hundreds of years to sweeten foods and treat burns and stomach discomfort, LiveScience reports. The plant gets its sweetness from naturally occurring glycosides, which are extracted from the stevia leaves through a process that starts by placing the plant in hot water. – Huffington Post
Benefits of Stevia
- A little goes a long way. Even though it is calorie-free, the plant extract can taste 200 times sweeter than the same amount of granulated table sugar.
- It can replace sugar in baking.
- Stevia can be purchased in liquid and powdered concentrates
Xylitol
What is Xylitol?
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is a low-digestible carbohydrate that resists starches and includes fiber. There is a lot of talk about Xylitol mainly because of the claim that sugar alcohols are ‘natural. Other varies of sugar alcohols include:
Erythritol
Isomalt
Lactitol
Maltitol
Mannitol
Sorbitol
Benefits of Xylitol
- It provides beneficial oral health. It is said to prevent cavities.
- It is safe to consume in small dosages.
- It can be a sugar substitute.
Coconut Sugar
What is Coconut Sugar?
Coconut sugar comes from the sap of the cut flowers of the coconut palm. It does not contain the actual coconut fruit but is used as a substitute for sugar.
Benefits of Coconut Sugar.
- One of the biggest health claims for coconut sugar is that it is low on the Glycemic Index.
- Coconut sugar is lower than table sugar on the Glycemic Index.
The bottom line is sugar is sugar, no matter what form it’s in. Knowing your body and knowing what it can handle will give you the real answer as to when and how you should consume sugar and its substitutes. In moderation, depending on your lifestyle and diet, any of the choices listed above (even sugar), may work for you.
EBOOST believes in clean ingredients in our products, so Stevia is a top pick for us.
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