Sugar consumption should be moderated to decrease the risk of heart disease, diabetes and prevent weight gain. Sugar substitutes available in the market such as sucralose, aspartame, saccharin and acesulfame potassium must be avoided as they may cause cancer. To avoid these issues, it is wise to use sweeteners that are derived naturally, un-contaminated, minimally processed and consist of some antioxidants and nutrients. Below are 6 natural sugar substitutes to get started.

1) Maple syrup

Maple syrup consists of minor amounts of zinc and calcium and a large amount of riboflavin. The riboflavin has antioxidant properties and is important to develop energy from the food you consume.

2) Honey

Natural honey possess antibacterial properties and is packed with antioxidants as it is extracted from the pollen grains collected from honey bees. The darker the honey, the higher will be the antioxidant value. It is recommended to use unprocessed or raw honey to ensure the antioxidant and nutrient content in it is unaffected. You can add honey to the tea, desserts or even yoghurt.

3) Dates

The Date has a natural sweet taste and hence used widely in preparing desserts. This fruit contains vitamin A, vitamin B6, calcium and potassium. Dates can be used as a natural sweetener in bars, puddings, coconut etc.

4) Stevia

Stevia is a natural sweetener that is free from calories. It is naturally derived from the leaves of ‘Stevia rebaudiana’ and is hundred times sweeter than sugar. It is the only calorie-free safe sweetener available, provided the health risks linked with artificial sweeteners. You can use stevia in tea, coffee and desserts.  

5) Molasses

Molasses is a dark, thick substance that is made from sugar cane or beet sugar. It is the most nutrient rich one out of all the natural sweeteners, offering a great amount of iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium and vitamin B6.

6) Coconut sugar

This natural sweetener contains traces of zinc, iron, potassium, calcium, and antioxidants. In addition, coconut sugar consists of a fibre named ‘inulin’ that can decelerate glucose absorption. So, it shows a minimal effect on the blood sugar levels, the quality which made it ideal for diabetics.

So, why don’t you try these natural sugar substitutes! Hope this information is helpful to you, if you are interested to buy natural products online, visit RCH Natural Products.