Having something sweet every day can taste good, but the granulated sugar can also bring about health issues like weight gain and diabetes. If you are concerned about your intake of sugar, thankfully, there are other alternatives. These best natural sweeteners come from several different sources, but the main draw is the other health benefits associated with them. Keep reading below to learn more about these seven best natural sweeteners and how they can keep your blood sugar low.
7. Coconut Sugar
Seventh on our list of best natural sweeteners is coconut sugar. The unrefined sugar comes from the sap of the coconut tree and can be used in liquid or crystal form. Coconut sugar does not raise blood sugar levels as much as regular sugar and contains small amounts of vitamin C, B vitamins, and potassium. While some people prefer the flavor, coconut sugar does have a higher calorie count than regular sugar.
6. Blackstrap Molasses
Our next selection for best natural sweeteners is blackstrap molasses. Molasses is known for its thickness and dark color, with blackstrap molasses being especially thick. Blackstrap molasses also contain more nutrients than regular molasses or sugar, such as iron and B vitamins. Most people use this molasses to add moisture to baked goods or as an ingredient in sauces and marinades. Just be aware that molasses can be quite high in calories.
5. Monk Fruit
Fifth on our list of the best natural sweeteners is monk fruit, also known as luo han guo. The fruit is native to China and is dried into a powder, which is around 250 times sweeter than sugar. This means you only need a little to go a long way, and the best part is that monk fruit doesn’t raise blood sugar and has zero calories. However, monk fruit does not dissolve as easily as sugar but can be bought in liquid form to sweeten beverages.
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4. Allulose
Found in several fruits, including figs, raisins, and kiwis, our fourth best natural sweeteners selection is allulose. The naturally occurring sugar is considered rare due to its small quantity in those fruits. Allulose is low in calories and about 70% as sweet as regular sugar, helping to lower blood glucose if combined with regular sugar. However, large amounts have caused stomach issues in some people.
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3. Agave
Rounding out our top three best natural sweeteners is agave syrup, which comes from the sap of the agave plant. Grown in Mexico and other parts of Central America, agave mainly contains fructose and is a good source of minerals, vitamins, and polyphenols. Agave won’t increase blood sugar levels as much as regular sugar but does contain more calories per teaspoon than no-calorie sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit.
2. Honey
Second on our list of best natural sweeteners is honey, one of the oldest natural sweeteners in the world that has also been used for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years. Honey will not increase your blood sugar as much as regular sugar and contains trace amounts of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals for a health boost. Honey does contain more calories than sugar and can be harder to dissolve in cold beverages.
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1. Stevia
Last but not least on our list of best natural sweeteners is stevia, extracted from the stevia plant native to South America. Stevia contains zero calories, will not spike blood sugar, and has a similar consistency to regular sugar, making it a good substitute in doughs and batters. The best part? Stevia can be 50 to 300 times sweeter than cane sugar, meaning a little can go a long way.
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