Refined sugar
Sugar can interfere with the body's hormones that regulate hunger and satiety, leading to increased calorie intake and weight gain. Excessive sugar consumption can also harm your metabolism, which can lead to increased insulin, inflammation and fat storage. A high sugar intake is associated with poor oral health and some of the world's deadliest diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and cancer. In addition to causing health problems, it sugar is addictive. Causes the release of dopamine in the reward center of the brain, the same response caused by addictive drugs .
Since eliminating refined sugar from my diet, I have seen a huge improvement in my body. It took me a while to detox and stop craving him constantly.
I researched a lot about natural sweeteners and started incorporating them into my recipes. Here is a list of my 6 favorite sugar alternatives:
Stevia
Stevia is a natural sweetener derived from leaves of the stevia plant (Stevia rebaudiana) . It has zero calories but is 200 times sweeter than table sugar. This sweetener has also been associated with several health benefits, including lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels. However, commercial stevia products vary in quality.
Date Dough
The date paste is a natural and sweet product that is obtained from the processing of pitted fresh dates. It has all the nutritional qualities that dates have, such as lowering cholesterol, improving digestion and skin . It is a healthy and energetic product to eat for breakfast to increase functionality during the day.
Honey
Honey is a sweet, viscous food substance produced by honey bees and some related insects. Contains traces of vitamins And minerals , as well as an abundance of beneficial antioxidants . While it does offer some health benefits, it is nonetheless a sugar and it should not be consumed excessively .
Maple syrup
Maple syrup is a thick, sugary liquid that is obtained by cooking the sap of maple trees. Contains a fair amount of minerals, including calcium, potassium, iron, zinc and manganese, and over 24 different antioxidants . It has a slightly lower glycemic index than regular sugar. While it does offer some health benefits, it is still a sugar and should not be consumed excessively.
Monk Fruit
Monk fruit sweetener is extracted from monk fruit, a small, round fruit grown in Southeast Asia. This natural alternative contains zero calories and is 100-250 times sweeter than refined sugar. Monk fruit contains natural sugars, but gets its sweetness from antioxidants called mogrosides. Monk fruit extract is often mixed with other sweeteners, therefore be sure to read the label before consuming it .
Coconut Sugar
Coconut sugar is extracted from the sap of the coconut palm. Contains some nutrients, including iron, zinc, calcium, potassium and antioxidants . It also has a lower glycemic index than sugar, which may be partly due to its insulin content. Coconut sugar contains a small amount of fiber and nutrients, but is high in fructose and should be consumed in moderation.
The sweeteners listed are good alternatives to refined sugar - however, remember that they should always be consumed in moderation.
Thanks for reading! I hope you too will start incorporating more natural alternatives to sugar into your diet.
A hug
Clemi
