Many people use sugar substitute products such as stevia or agave syrup because they are said to be healthier.
But is that even true?
Sugar is an ingredient found in foods that you wouldn't expect.
As a result, most people ingest far too much sugar without even knowing it.
This is problematic as excessive consumption can have many negative effects on the body.
It has been linked to many serious illnesses, including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes *.
For this reason, there is nothing wrong with cutting back on your own sugar consumption.
Sugar substitute products such as stevia, agave syrup, honey or maple syrup represent a compromise. But are these really healthier alternatives?
Also read
: Nutrition has "made you a friendlier person": the presenter has lived sugar-free for 15 years.
Sugar substitute: how healthy are stevia, agave syrup & Co. really?
Stevia
:
Stevia is made from a plant called sweet herb or honey herb.
It is a sensible alternative, especially for diabetics, as it only adds very few additional calories and carbohydrates to food and has no effect on blood sugar levels.
Even small amounts are sufficient, as stevia is 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar.
Not only should it be used in moderation, but also because it can have a bitter aftertaste.
Another disadvantage is that stevia does not contain any valuable ingredients.
Agave syrup
:
A healthier alternative is agave syrup, as it actually contains several healthy minerals, botanicals and trace elements. It's also sweeter and has fewer calories than refined sugar. In contrast to stevia, agave syrup has no bitter aftertaste, which is why it is also ideal for desserts such as cakes. However, it has a very high fructose content, which is why it is rather unsuitable for fructose-intolerant people. Even without intolerance, fructose should not be consumed excessively, as it can have an adverse effect on the metabolism.
Honey
:
Honey has been used for a long time as a sweetener and also as a remedy due to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. However, it's not much lower in calories than white sugar. In return, the sweetening power is stronger because the fructose content is higher and therefore smaller amounts are sufficient for sweetening. By and large, honey can be described as a healthier alternative to sugar - but here, too, the dose makes the poison.
Maple syrup
:
The advantage of maple syrup over sugar or honey is that it has around 45 percent fewer calories due to its high water content. It also has antioxidant effects like honey. Nevertheless, maple syrup has a very high sugar content, which is why it does not do well in the glycemic index - thus causing the blood sugar level to rise relatively sharply. The same applies here: in moderation instead of in masses.
Birch sugar / xylitol
:
As the name suggests, birch sugar - or called xylitol - is extracted from the bark of the birch, but it is now also often made from the remains of corn on the cob.
Birch sugar has around 40 percent fewer calories than white sugar and has only a minor effect on blood sugar levels.
The sweetening power is about as strong as sugar, but too large amounts can cause gas and, in the worst case, even diarrhea.
Don't want to miss any health news?
Here you can subscribe to the Merkur health newsletter
Conclusion on the "healthy" sugar alternatives
The overview shows that the sugar substitute products should not be taken as an alternative without hesitation.
While some of them offer healthier ingredients than regular sugar, the sugar content is usually not that much lower.
For both refined white sugar and the alternatives, it is recommended that you
only use them in small amounts
.
(ec) * merkur.de is an offer from IPPEN.MEDIA.
Also interesting
: Eat consciously and lose weight at the same time: slim with the clean eating trend.
With cheating to a slim line?
With cheating to a slim line?