If you are wondering whether natural sweeteners are good for you or not, then the answer is yes. Natural sweeteners are much better than artificial sweeteners as they contain vitamins, enzymes, minerals, and other nutrients.
Unlike artificial sweeteners, taking natural sweeteners in small quantities is not harmful to your body. However, just like processed sugars, you should consume these sugars in moderation.
Let’s talk about five healthy sweeteners that are good for the body
- Raw Honey
Honey is a natural sweetener that is sweeter than sugar and is among the oldest sweetener present on earth. Depending on the source, honey can have a range of tastes, ranging from strong and robust to light and mild.
Raw honey contains a lot of enzymes, minerals, and vitamins, along with various antioxidants that are good for your body. Ingesting local honey is also thought to enhance tolerance to common allergens in the area by exposing the body to pollen from local bees.
These nutrients aid in reducing the effect of free radical damage as well as provide necessary vitamins and minerals to maintain the body healthy.
A tablespoon of raw honey contains 64 calories and has a low glycemic index. Pasteurized honey can have fewer nutrients, and it will be less beneficial as compared to raw honey.
- Dates
Dates have been used as natural sweeteners for ages. It is a healthy sweetener and contains various nutrients such as copper, magnesium, iron, and vitamin b5. You can add dates to many sweet dishes and products.
Make a paste of dates and use it as a sugar substitute in various recipes. Add paste of dates in your smoothie, desserts, or any other food item you want.
Though you can buy date syrup and date paste from stores, it is better to make it at home because the less refined it is, the better it is.
- Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is a good source of manganese and zinc since it is prepared from boiling maple sap.
One gallon of maple syrup requires around 40 gallons of sap. Maple syrup has a lower fructose content than agave syrup. It has a lovely flavor and is excellent for baking. Make sure you get 100% pure maple syrup rather than processed maple syrup. The majority of pancake syrup is simply maple syrup, so check the label each time.
- Coconut sugar
Coconut sugar is created from the delicious nectar of coconut palm flower buds and is also known as Coconut Palm Sugar or Coconut Juice Sugar.
The nectars of coconut are cooked until all of the water has evaporated, then dried and crushed into granules. Potassium, iron, and vitamins are abundant in coconut sugar. It has the same number of calories and carbs as ordinary sugar, but it has a lower glycemic index, which means it releases glucose into the bloodstream more steadily.
- Molasses
It is one of the most nutritious sweeteners that is derived from sugar cane and sugar beet. The longer the juice is boiled, the sweeter and more nutritious it will be. Molasses is also a good source of nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium. You can use it in small quantities.
