Sweeteners like fruit juice, honey, molasses and maple syrup contain natural sugar and have some nutritional benefits. Fruit has fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. Even raw honey and maple syrup can contain antioxidants and minerals like iron, zinc, calcium and potassium.
Outside of pure stevia, I recommend using either raw honey or pure maple syrup. These sugars are not processed and they contain trace amounts of vitamins and minerals. At the end of the day, it is important to understand what sugar is doing to your body.
We have various kinds of sugar such as glucose, sucrose, aspartame and many more. These sugars add a flavor to our food and sometimes are free of calories and carbs. The safest and the most common alternative sugar is Aspartame.
Possible side effects include nausea, bloating, low blood pressure, and hormone disruption.
Is honey better for you than sugar? Honey has a lower GI value than sugar, meaning that it does not raise blood sugar levels as quickly. Honey is sweeter than sugar, so you may need less of it, but it does have slightly more calories per teaspoon so it's wise to keep a close eye on your portion sizes.
The Health Concerns: Why Did the FDA Have Issues with Stevia? Stevia was initially banned because some highly alarming early studies suggested that the sweetener might be linked to cancer. There were also other concerns about the sweet compounds in stevia leaves, known as steviol glycosides.
Dates, honey maple syrup, and coconut sugar are your best sugar alternatives. The occasional use of stevia and monk fruit are also good options. The worst sweeteners include artificial sweeteners like sucralose, saccharin, and aspartame, high fructose corn syrup, agave, and brown rice syrup.
“If you find yourself reaching for another sugary snack, it's no coincidence.” Mood swings and irritability. Studies suggest that high-sugar diets can increase the risk of mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Lack of energy.
Stevia and monk fruit are both naturally derived from plants and some people feel they have a flavor very similar to regular sugar. The FDA says these sweeteners are “generally regarded as safe,” which means they are safe to use for their intended purpose.
The Bottom Line. Stevia is the clear winner in the competition between stevia and Splenda. Its natural origins, minimal processing, and potential health benefits, such as supporting blood sugar levels and offering antioxidants, make it the clear winner.
If you are trying to use sweeteners with additional micronutrients, antioxidant properties, or a different flavor profile, honey and maple syrup are excellent choices. But you still can't have as much as you like: All sugars in excess are harmful to your health.
Monk fruit received the “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It also has no reported side effects. But use monk fruit — or any sweetener — in moderate amounts. Just because it's GRAS doesn't mean you should consume lots of it every day, notes Dr.
We sweeten Coke Zero Sugar in our bottles and cans with a blend of aspartame and acesulfame potassium (or Ace-K). Together, they create a great taste with zero sugar and zero calories.
Stevia Side Effects
If you see whole stevia leaves or crude stevia extracts at your local natural foods store, don't buy them. The FDA says it doesn't have enough information about their potential impact on your health, including problems with your kidneys, heart, and blood vessels.
However, if you want a safer option, then monk fruit sweeteners may be a better choice. They have many health benefits, and studies have found no side effects. On the contrary, stevia sweeteners have been found to cause digestive problems and allergic reactions in some people.
A 2024 study found that it's unlikely stevia harms gut health, at least during the 12-week study period. But that doesn't rule out common side effects like nausea or bloating. “There's also some concern that it can trigger hormone disruption,” Crtalic notes. She's referring to a study that came out in 2016.
No. But, if you're going to use sugar in a recipe, you might as well substitute in maple syrup since it's slightly better for you than refined sugar. The reality is maple syrup is still high in sugar. It would be very unhealthy to eat several tablespoons of maple syrup per day to add calcium or potassium to your diet.
Yes, a spoonful of honey a day is good for you as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
No. Brown and white sugar have essentially the same nutritional profile. Brown sugar has trace amounts of minerals, but you'd have to eat much more sugar than is recommended to get enough minerals to benefit you.