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| Natural Sugar Substitutes That Are Safe For Diabetics |
Patients with
diabetes need to rely on sugar substitutes if they are unable to consume sugar
for whatever reason. There are many sugar substitutes available in the market.
Artificial sweeteners are a popular option for those looking for a sugar
substitute. However, artificial sweeteners have been associated with an
increased risk of diabetes and other chronic diseases.
Natural sweeteners
are not as popular as artificial sweeteners but they have many benefits. The
benefits of natural sweetener over artificial ones include that it is less
likely to be absorbed into the body's cells, which means that it won't affect
blood sugar levels as much as an artificial sweetener can. They can be consumed by
diabetics who cannot tolerate any type of sugar and they also have fewer
calories per gram.
One of the
benefits of switching to natural alternative sweeteners is an increase in energy
levels and lessening cravings for unhealthy foods. In this article, we will
discuss the benefits of some natural sweeteners over artificial sweeteners in
diabetes management.
What Are
Natural Sweetener
Natural sweeteners
are a new class of sugars that have been created from the fermentation of
various carbohydrates. Natural sweeteners have low calories and do not contain
any artificial ingredients. These new forms of sugar are widely accepted by the
scientific community as being healthier than artificial or processed sugars.
The term natural
sweeteners refer to a number of sugar substitutes that are intended to be
healthier and avoid the unpleasant aftertaste or side effects of artificial
sweeteners. They have a very distinctive taste, so it's best to use them in
recipes where you can't change the flavor.
In today’s world,
people are more conscious about their health and fitness. Natural Sweeteners
are healthier than artificial sugars because they contain no preservatives or
chemicals that can cause havoc on the body. This is the reason why many people
are opting for natural sweeteners. There are many benefits to using natural
sweeteners. First off, they do not cause any spikes in blood sugar levels like
processed white sugars do. They also contribute to a healthy diet by providing
necessary vitamins and minerals. Finally, they can be used in cooking and
baking without any major changes to the recipe.
Some of the most
commonly used natural sweeteners we will discuss in this article include:
- Stevia
- Coconut sugar
- Tagatose
- Monk Fruit Extract
- Coconut Palm Sugar
-
Date Sugar
- Yacon Syrup
- Erythritol
- Xylitol
Artificial Sweetener vs. Natural Sweetener: For
Diabetes
Artificial sweeteners are not for everyone and they may not always be the best choice when
it comes to diabetes. Natural sweeteners provide better options for diabetics and can be used in moderation. Artificial sweeteners like aspartame and
saccharin cause a decrease in insulin production and increase the risk of
diabetes. This is because artificial sweeteners like aspartame and saccharin,
which are commonly found in diet drinks, don't contain any calories. The body
reacts to these by releasing hormones that tell the pancreas to stop producing
insulin or that increase blood sugar levels.
A new study in the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition evaluated the use of natural sweeteners
versus the use of artificial sweeteners (saccharin, aspartame, and sucralose) in
type 2 diabetes management. It was found that people who consumed natural
sweeteners had lower body weight and waist circumference when compared to those
who consumed artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweetener consumption was also
associated with higher levels of fasting blood glucose levels when compared to
natural sugar consumption.
Some people find
these substances to be too strong in taste and they say that the taste lingers
in their mouth for a long time. Natural sweeteners provide a more
natural-tasting option for people who need to reduce their sugar intake while
still getting the sweetness they crave. Therefore, many diabetic individuals
prefer more natural sweetener alternatives such as monk fruit extract or
stevia. Further, Natural Sweeteners are healthier than artificial sugars
because they contain no chemicals that can cause harmful side effects to your
body.
1. Stevia
Stevia is a
natural sweetener that has been proven to be much better than other artificial
sweeteners. Stevia is something that has been around for a long time, but it
has only recently become more popular in the western world. Now, it's even
being used as a natural sugar-free sweetener. Stevia is a plant with a long
history of use as a sweetener in South America. Stevia leaf extract does not
contain sugars or calories and can be used as a sugar substitute.
In the late 1980s, the FDA approved Stevia as a food additive for use in the U.S., but notes that
"information from studies in people do not show that stevia causes health
problems." Some people with diabetes find that this natural sweetener
works well for them to cut down or eliminate their need for sugar, but it's important
to check with your doctor before starting any new eating plan regimen.
The extract from
Stevia leaves is about 300 times sweeter than sugar, so you don't need much of
it to get sweetness comparable with regular sugar or honey. Stevia contains a
group of 'prenylated indole compounds,' called steviol glycosides, which are
found in the leaves of the plant Stevia rebaudiana. This plant extracts tastes
like sugar but without any calories or carbs.
Stevia is a plant
native to Paraguay and Brazil that was traditionally used to sweeten things
like teas and other beverages. It has since been popularized in the Western
world as a natural sugar-free sweetener. Some people in Paraguay and Brazil
call it ‘herb of the angels’ and they use it in different dishes, including tea
and desserts.
2. Tagatose
Tagatose is a
natural sugar that is not as high on the glycemic index as other sugars.
Meaning it doesn’t cause rapid changes in blood sugar levels. This makes it
ideal for people with diabetes and those who are trying to and
control their blood glucose levels for any reason.
Tagatose is a
sugar naturally found in dairy products. It is also naturally found in some
fruits and vegetables, but not enough to have any significant health benefits.
Tagatose is a sugar substitute that tastes like real sugar. It has been used by
people with diabetes since it does not raise blood sugar levels. Tagatose has the potential to significantly improve the way people with diabetes manage their
blood sugar levels. It has been shown to reduce appetite and increase feelings
of fullness, which could help people lose weight, and it also enhances
absorption of calcium which is important for bone health.
It tastes just
like table sugar, so it can be used in place of the real thing in many recipes
and foods without affecting taste or texture. It is commonly used in the diabetic food, diet drinks, and desserts. While the list of foods that are high in
tagatose may be long, there is no evidence that tagatose has any specific
health benefits for people with diabetes or anyone else.
3. Monk Fruit
Extract
Monk fruit extract
is a natural sweetener that can be used in place of sugar for people with
diabetes. It has the same sweetness level as sugar but contains zero calories.
There are many benefits to using monk fruit extract for people with diabetes.
It's natural, has no calories, doesn't raise blood sugar levels, and tastes
better than artificial sweeteners.
Monk fruit extract
is a fruit extract from the Monk Fruit, a plant grown in the subtropical
regions of China, Thailand, and other parts of Southeast Asia. It’s also called
Luo Han Guo Or Lo Han Kuo, which has been used in traditional Asian medicine
for centuries. In traditional Asian medicine, it is often used to help with
stomach aches and diarrhea. In modern times it is often used to help people
with diabetes because of its low glycemic index.
One of the
challenges with using monk fruit extract is that it doesn't dissolve in liquids
like regular sugars do. But there are several things you can do to help it
dissolve. One way to do this is to mix it with a liquid ingredient before
adding it to your food or drink, such as milk or water, which will allow it to
dissolve easier. Another thing you can do is heat your liquids before adding
your sweetener, which will also help the sweetener, dissolve thoroughly in the
liquid.
4. Coconut Palm
Sugar
Coconut palm sugar
is a natural and healthier alternative to other popular sweeteners such as cane
sugar, honey, stevia, and artificial sweeteners. It contains minerals such as
potassium, magnesium, and zinc which provide essential electrolytes for the
body.
Coconut palm sugar
is a great substitute for white sugars because it contains low levels of
fructose, which can be harmful and problematic for people with diabetes and
other health conditions that require a sugar-free diet. The human body can't
store the excess amounts of fructose in the liver, so when they are consumed it
has to be used immediately or broken down into glucose in order to avoid toxic
levels in the bloodstream.
It also has a lower glycemic index than other
sugars like white cane sugar and honey. It has a glycemic index (GI) value of
35-40 which means it is metabolized slowly by the body and it will not cause
your blood sugar to spike as high during your mealtime. This makes it a healthy
option among people with diabetes or prediabetes. It is also believed that the
high potassium content of coconut palm sugar helps them to keep their blood
sugar levels in control.
5. Date Sugar
Date sugar is a
type of sugar that can be used in diabetic recipes. Date sugar is derived from
dried dates and can be used as a substitute for table sugar or brown sugar in
almost all recipes. Date sugars are made by drying dates until they are very
hard then grinding them into powder form. This process removes most of the
moisture content from these date pieces so that they don't spoil easily when
stored.
Date sugar has a
much lower glycemic index than the other sugars, which means it does not spike
blood sugar levels too much. It also tastes similar to brown sugar, but it is
less sweet than either brown or white sugars. Most people opt for date sugar
because although it has a low glycemic index, it tastes great and adds a
delicious flavor to the food.
6. Yacon Syrup
Yacon syrup is a
natural food that can help you control your blood sugar levels. Yacon syrup has
been used for decades to treat diabetes. However, it has been gaining
popularity among people with the disease in recent years because of its ability
to reduce blood sugar levels and aid weight loss efforts without side effects.
Preliminary
research shows that Yacon syrup may help regulate blood sugar levels in people
with type-2 diabetes. It can also help reduce cholesterol levels, lower body
weight, and blood pressure.
Yacon syrup is
made from the root of the Yacon plant, which grows high in the Andes Mountains
at altitudes of 3,500 to 4,500 meters above sea level. The Yacon plant, an
Andean vegetable, has been used for centuries by Native Americans and others in
the region to help with insulin resistance and diabetes. The syrup is made by
boiling fresh yacon roots for about six hours. It is then cooled and filtered
to remove any sediment or impurities. As a result of this process, it contains
100% of the nutrients found in raw yacon roots.
People with type-2
diabetes should talk to their healthcare provider before using yacon syrup as a
supplement or alternative treatment to manage diabetes symptoms.
7. Erythritol
Erythritol is a
sugar alcohol that has been found to have a low glycemic index, which is
considered to be safe for people with diabetes. It has zero calories and it
does not affect blood glucose levels when ingested like other sugars do. This
is due to the fact that it can't be broken down by the body into glucose or
other sugars that could cause an increase in blood sugar levels. This leads to
the belief that it could be suitable for people with diabetes or insulin
resistance. This ingredient may be an alternative for diabetics who are looking
to limit their sugar intake or for people who are trying to avoid artificial
sweeteners like aspartame.
Erythritol was discovered
by accident when scientists were researching new strains of yeast in the
late 1800s. It is produced commercially by fermenting glucose in yeast, which
converts it into erythritol and other substances. It is a sugar alcohol which
is a type of polyol. It is found in many natural foods including mushrooms,
pears, watermelon, and wine grapes.
It is one of the newest sugar substitutes
available on the market, developed because of its ability to provide sweetness
without raising blood glucose levels. Erythritol can also be added to food
products to replace sugar without changing the flavor. It is also been used as
an artificial sweetener in things like chewing gum and ice cream.
There are some
side effects of consuming erythritol, which include stomach upset, diarrhea,
loose stools, and bloating.
8. Xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar
alcohol that has been found to have some great benefits for people with
diabetes. It has the same number of calories as other sugars but doesn’t affect
blood glucose levels. However the same sweetening power as regular sugar.
As a sugar
substitute, it does not spike blood sugar levels. In fact, it can actually
lower levels of blood glucose and insulin as well as help to prevent or reduce
the severity of someone’s hypoglycemic episodes. Some people with diabetes may
use xylitol to help manage their sugar cravings. Xylitol also helps to fight
cavities and tooth decay. It is even effective in preventing ear tubes
infections in children.
Xylitol is often
combined with other sweeteners such as stevia extract, aspartame or sugar
alcohols erythritol, and maltitol to create a true sugar substitute that tastes
just like the real thing.
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