Natural Sweeteners That Are Good For Your Health

You may have received information that refined sugar is bad for your health. Giving up on refined sugar can be a tough and a challenging task. However, when you understand how harmful sugar can be for your health it will definitely be worth looking for alternatives which are healthy.

Fortunately, you can find a few sweeteners from nature that are actually good for your health. These sweeteners are low in calories, fructose and have just the kind of sweetness as sugar. Here are a couple of natural sweeteners that you will find helpful and healthy.

[su_quote class=”cust-pagination”]Granola didn’t sell very well when it was good for you. Now it has caramel, chocolate, marshmallow, saturated fat and sweeteners with a small amount of oats and grains. Sales picked up.

~George Carlin[/su_quote]

Natural Sweetener Stevia

Pat_Hastings/Shutterstock

Stevia is extracted from the leaves of the plant which is known as Stevia rebaudiana and this is a popular low-calorie sweetener. Within South America, this plant has been grown for centuries for medicinal purposes and the sweetness. Stevia leaves have several sweet compounds and the primary ones are Stevioside and Rebaudioside A. These two compounds are many times sweeter than sugar.

Stevia is high in sweetness but is virtually no calories.

Studies have been conducted on humans which have provided evidence that Stevia has a number of health benefits. Stevia can lower the pressure by about 6 to 14% but it has no effect on blood pressure which is normal or just mildly elevated. Stevia also has the ability to lower blood sugar levels among diabetics.

Studies conducted on rats have provided evidence that Stevia can improve insulin sensitivity, reduce plaque buildup in the arteries while also reducing oxidized LDL cholesterol.

Stevia can be a healthy choice if you are looking for a sweetener. Not many people really like the taste of Stevia because there are different brands available and you may be required to experiment with brands until you find the one you like.

Erythritol

Erythritol is one more low-calorie sweetener which is a healthy option. It is alcohol from sugar which is found in certain fruits but if you are purchasing powdered Erythritol it will possibly be made by using an industrial process. Erythritol contains just 0.24 g of calories per gram or approximately 6% of the calories as sugar but the compliment of sweetness is in the region of 70%.

Erythritol does not spike blood sugar and has no effects on cholesterol or triglycerides. Studies have revealed the safety of Erythritol but consuming Erythritol in high levels can cause digestive issues which are a common trait with sugar alcohols.

Erythritol is not the healthiest option but at the same time is not harmful in any way and is tolerated by the body better than many other sugar alcohols.

Xylitol

nadisja/Shutterstock

Xylitol is another sugar alcohol which has a sweetness that is similar to sugar. Xylitol contains about two-thirds of the caloric value of sugar. Xylitol is beneficial for dental health and can reduce the risk of cavities and a dental decay. It may also prove helpful in improving bone density and assist in preventing osteoporosis. Xylitol does not increase blood sugar on insulin levels. It is highly toxic for dogs and therefore you may want to keep xylitol away from your home if you have a pet.

Being another sugar alcohol xylitol can leave behind digestive side effects if consumed in high quantities.

Yacon Syrup

Yacon syrup is harvested from the Yacon plant which is a native of the Andes within South America. This sweetener is presently becoming popular as a weight loss supplement because studies conducted on overweight women have found that Yacon can cause significant weight loss. Yacon syrup can prove helpful against constipation and the high amounts of soluble fiber can provide various benefits to the body. Having too much of Yacon syrup can cause digestive issues.

[su_quote class=”cust-pagination”]Sweeteners, which can be up to 300 times sweeter than natural sugar, are known to increase appetite and result in overeating. Be on the lookout for artificial sweeteners, and when possible, steer clear of them. Mehmet Oz[/su_quote]

~Mehmet Oz[/su_quote]

These are a few natural sweeteners that you can consider if you have been advised to reduce or give up the consumption of sugar. These options are healthy and are not likely to cause any harm unless you exceed the quantities recommended for the usage.