Sugar is one of the most commonly used ingredients in our kitchens. In fact, it’s such a common ingredient that we rarely subject it to the same level of scrutiny we may apply to other food products when wondering how to boost our health.

It’s time to find out why that’s a harmful approach, along with 10 popular sugar substitutes that you should check out!

As sugar is present in many different snacks and food products in varying forms, we often do not realize that we tend to consume a high level of sugar daily.

High sugar intake has been linked with a myriad of health problems, which is why it is considered to be dangerous. Now, instead of cutting out all the sweetness in your life, you can simply use any popular sugar substitutes the next time to make a healthy snack!

Why should you choose popular sugar substitutes?

Research conducted by healthcare experts suggests that diets with lots of sugar can lead to obesity. Obesity, in turn, leads to cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure, inflammation in the body, and more.

Consuming a lot of sugar can also impact the way your metabolic functions are carried out. This can lead to an increase in insulin in your body and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (which is not reversible).

Sugar can also impact your oral health, leading to cavities that, if unchecked, may require root canals and other surgical treatments. Do note that poor oral health is also linked with an increased risk for cardiovascular problems as well as cancer.

Finally, sugar is an incredibly addictive substance as it triggers dopamine in the pleasure centers of your brain! This is why it’s so hard to kick that craving for a sugary drink or candy. Turning to popular sugar substitutes can help you prevent all these issues and more.

What are the popular sugar substitutes you can check out?

1. Xylitol!

Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that is found in many fruits and vegetables (though it is commonly extracted from corn). This substance only has 2.4 calories per gram, which is a whopping 40% lesser than what you’d find in the same amount of sugar!

One of the reasons why Xylitol is one of the most popular sugar substitutes is that it offers a few health benefits such as increased bone density and better oral health. Additionally, as this ingredient does not contain fructose, it does not lead to the health effects that are associated with sugar.

2. Stevia!

Stevia is a natural sweetener that comes from a plant called Stevia Rebaudiana, and is typically expanded from two compounds rebaudioside A and stevioside. What makes Stevia one of the most popular sugar substitutes is that no matter which of these two compounds it is extracted from, it contains 0 calories.
Do note that Stevia does taste a little different from regular sugar, and it might take a while to get used to the new taste.

3. Monk Fruit Sweetener!

Monk Fruit Sweetener is, as the name suggests, extracted from Monk Fruit. This is one of the most popular sugar substitutes amongst health buffs as it has zero calories. Additionally, it is also 100-250 times sweeter than regular sugar, which means you don’t have to add a lot of it to your food.

Note that monk fruit sweetener contains an ingredient called Mogroside, which is quite beneficial. It has anti-inflammatory properties and is believed to help inhibit cancer growth. Monk fruit sweetener does not increase your blood glucose levels or even insulin levels.

4. Erythritol!

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol, just like Xylitol. However, when compared to the latter, it has even fewer calories – 0.24% per gram which is just 6% of the total calories the same amount of sugar would have!

Erythritol is one of the popular sugar substitutes because it does not impact your triglyceride levels, cholesterol, or even blood glucose levels. The only downside of this ingredient is that it’s a little hard to get a hold of!

5. Yacon Syrup!

Yacon syrup comes from the Yacon plant and is quite similar in color and consistency to molasses. 40–50% of Yacon syrup is made of fructooligosaccharides, which is a type of sugar that cannot be digested by the human body. Don’t be alarmed – this just means that your body excretes it and you can enjoy the sweet flavor without worrying about side effects.

Due to this, Yacon syrup has 1.3% calories per gram. Additionally, the fructooligosaccharides mentioned above also offer health benefits. It can help you reduce your overall glycemic index, can help you reduce your weight, and also lower the risk of colon cancer.

Finally, Yacon syrup is one of the most popular sugar substitutes because it helps feed your gut bacteria, which ultimately improves your overall mental and physical health.

6. Maple Syrup!

Ever loaded up your pancakes with sticky maple syrup? It takes delicious right? The good news is that maple syrup, even though it’s super sweet, is a healthy substitute for sugar. The reason why it’s one of the most popular sugar substitutes is that it is rich in zinc, minerals, calcium, iron, manganese, potassium, and anti-oxidants.

However, do not that maple syrup does have natural sugars in it, and can increase your blood sugar level if taken excessively.

7. Coconut Sugar!

Coconut sugar is another natural sugar alternative that offers a sweet taste without the health problems of regular sugar. Coconut sugar has zinc, potassium, calcium, and iron, which is why it’s good for balancing the nutrients in your body.
The main reason why coconut sugar is one of the most popular sugar substitutes is that they have a much lower glycemic index when compared with sugar. Additionally, they are high in calories, making them a good option for people who must have a calorie-rich diet due to health reasons.

Do note that it’s better to consume coconut sugar in moderation.

8. Molasses!

Molasses are a brown liquid with a thick, syrupy consistency that is produced when you boil sugar cane juice (or sugar beet juice). It is used to ultimately create sugar as we know it, however, as it undergoes fewer levels of processing, it is a much healthier alternative, making it one of the popular sugar substitutes that we just couldn’t leave off this list!

Molasses are rich in antioxidants, calcium, potassium, and iron. This ingredient is believed to improve bone density and even heart health. It also tastes quite similar to regular sugar, so it’s quite easy to adopt in your lifestyle.

9. Date Sugar!

Date sugar is, as the name suggests, made from dates that have been dehydrated and ground up. Like molasses, date sugar is not as processed as regular sugar which is why it is a healthier alternative to pick. It is rich in antioxidants along with high amounts of potassium.

When trying to use this popular sugar substitute, note that it does not melt as easily as regular white sugar. You can also add full dates to your diet to snack on instead of reaching for candy.

10. Honey!

If you’re looking for a near-perfect ingredient that’s one of the most popular sugar substitutes, then look no further than honey. Honey is filled with nutrients that are great for your health, skin, and even hair, making it a product that offers a myriad of benefits all in one go.

Honey has high levels of antioxidants, has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, does not raise your glycemic index, and can be incorporated into your diet very easily. The antioxidants in honey are linked with preventing heart problems, diabetes, cancer, and inflammation. It can even help you with your weight loss goals.

Honey is considered to be a healthier alternative to sugar, and you don’t have to use as much honey in your recipes as you may use sugar. This is why, even though honey does contain both fructose and glucose, it’s still much healthier than regular refined sugar!

It’s time to use any of these popular sugar substitutes and improve your diet and health. At EiwaHoney, we offer six exciting flavors of honey that you can use in different recipes to enjoy your new health-best-friend. Have a look at our product offerings and pick the flavor you’d love to try the most!