As society grows more health-conscious, people look forward to quenching their thirst for sweet treats without compromising their wellness.
Sugar is undeniably essential in your recipes, whether baking or making sweet treats. The concerning issue is the health effects it brings, particularly on the accumulation of calories and blood sugar levels.
Good thing you can avoid worrying that much by shifting to healthier alternatives. They’ll allow you to keep health concerns at bay while satisfying your sweet tooth. This blog post looks at some of these options for more health-friendly treats.
Stevia
Derived from the Stevia rebaudiana plant leaves, this natural sweetener is highly potent through its steviol glycoside molecules. It’s 250 to 300 times sweeter than sucrose, meaning smaller quantities can be served to you during many preparations. Some steviol glycosides also get a better taste through the fermentation and bioconversion process, which they undergo during large-scale production.
The good thing about these compounds is that they hardly contribute to blood sugar spikes since they aren’t absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract. After reaching the colon, the gut microbes tend to remove the glucose molecules and use them as energy sources. The remaining amount is what gets absorbed through the portal vein.
It becomes a great addition to your weight management plans because of the reduced intake of calories. It’s paramount to also couple with healthy dietary choices such as moving away from processed foods and prioritizing fiber-rich meals. You may as well need to find safe and quality weight management drugs.
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Erythritol
This is a common type of sugar alcohol in fermented foods and fruits such as grapes, pears, and watermelons. In comparison to sugar, it’s 70 % sweet, making it gain popularity in making treats friendly to people living with diabetes, being a low-calorie sugar class.
Compared with other sugar alcohols, like sorbitol, it shows better digestive tolerance. However, avoiding large quantities is necessary, which can cause mild to severe digestive problems.
It’s also good for dental health because of the better enamel protection. Erythritol has been found to slow the growth of one type of bacteria in the mouth, reducing the acid these microorganisms make.
Monk Fruit Extract
This ancient sweetener is derived from the Monk fruit, and compared to regular sugar, it’s 100 to 250 times sweeter. It’s made by collecting the fruit’s juice after removing the skin and seeds.
After thorough drying, it forms a concentrated sugar that manufacturers mix with other natural products, such as erythritol and inulin. It helps with the balancing of the sweetness intensity.
These sugars contain mogrosides compounds which make it sound at combating oxidative stress. This is through the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant attributes linked to the products , boosting your health in many ways such as enhancing your mental health and relieving mental issues.
Coconut Sugar
This natural sugar is obtained from the coconut palm tree, which is rich in calcium, potassium, zinc, and iron and has a lower glycemic index than regular sugar. This means it does not cause a dramatic rise in blood sugar levels. It is no comparison with table sugar, which lacks vital nutrients.
What matters is using moderate quantities of this sugar alternative when baking or making your treats. So long as you don’t go for excess amounts, you can be sure of no calorie surge in your body. You’ll also be protecting yourself from major health concerns such as heart disease and metabolic syndrome.
Endnote
Making amazing sweet treats doesn’t have to be a source of health issues, thanks to the many sugar alternatives you can try. They will have a low impact on your blood sugar levels while favoring your weight management efforts. Whether you go with the erythritol or stevia, learn more about the correct amounts to work with and the potential side effects of overconsumption.
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