With the growing dangers of consuming too much refined sugar, today we bring you the top 5 organic and natural sweeteners for our sweet-toothed but health-conscious readers. With more and more people becoming health as well as environmentally conscious, the market for this has expanded over the years. So without any further delay let’s dive in!
Raw Honey: Nature’s Liquid Gold
Honey, the pure and unadulterated organic one, is on the top of our list. There is simply no other match for this gem. Unlike processed honey, raw honey retains its natural enzymes and antioxidants. It’s not just a sweetener, but also provides energy, and has antibacterial and immune-boosting properties. With so much versatility, it had to steal the first spot.
Maple Syrup: The Sweet Tree Sap
Maple syrup is quite famous for its sweetness and comes from an unusual source: the sap of the Maple tree. Since it is packed with minerals such as manganese and zinc, it beats refined sugar at any time of the day. Choose 100% pure, organic maple syrup for optimal benefits. You must be familiar with its multitude of uses as dressing on pancakes, waffles, and marinades.
Stevia: For the Calorie Conscious
And for those of our readers who won’t take even a single digit extra calories: we got you covered too. Extracted from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, stevia has zero calories. It is a sweetener without the glycemic impact associated with traditional refined sugars. You can just add it to any dish you want to sweeten, even the salty ones( if you are crazy). Ensure you select high-quality, organic stevia products to avoid any additives.
Coconut Sugar: Nectar from Coconuts
Just like maple syrup, coconut sugar is also derived from the sap of coconut trees ( yes we were surprised too). Similar to stevia, it also has a lower glycemic index compared to traditional sugars. Other than being a sweetener, it is nutrient-rich and has minerals like iron, zinc, and potassium. It has this rich caramel-like flavor which makes it a delicious option to incorporate into your dishes. Check out some awesome coconut sugar desserts here.
Monk Fruit Sweetener: A Rising Star
Monkfruit sweetener has become one of the trendiest natural sugar substitutes. Moknkfruit is a vine of the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae, and is native to Southern China. It offers a sweet taste with a low impact on calories or blood sugar. Furthermore, it’s rich in antioxidants too, thus giving you a good alternative to your regular refined sugar.
Conclusion
Thus we covered some of the best-known natural and organic sweeteners. While we presented just 5, remember that this list is not exhaustive and there are plenty of other options. Experimenting with natural sugars is a good way to start your health improvement and think about the environment. Always remember, that moderation is key, and understand that the unique properties of each sweetener will help you make informed choices as per your needs. Share your experience with this and let us know how it goes!
