WHITE SUGAR: THE 6 BEST ALTERNATIVES FOR HEALTH

 While white sugar is useful for adding sweetness to dishes, it is not very good for your health. Here are six healthier alternatives.

 HONEY

Honey is a perfect substitute for white sugar. It contains minerals, such as iron, potassium or even magnesium and vitamins B and C. Above all, it has the advantage of being less caloric than traditional sugar and offers 40% more sweetening power.

However, you should not consume too much honey. It contains 80 grams of sugar per 100 grams of honey and contains 55% fructose. Another major obstacle is the price of honey, which is much higher than that of white sugar.

 THE STEVIA

Derived from a plant, stevia is what is called a natural sweetener. It has a sweetening power 100 to 300 times greater than that of white sugar. Stevia is also lower in calories. However, its bitter taste is not always appreciated by consumers. It should also be remembered that stevia is produced by chemical modifications.

 AGAVE SYRUP

Agave syrup has a higher sweetening power than white sugar, it contains iron, magnesium, calcium but also mineral salts and potassium. It has the advantage of having a low glycemic index, however, for this to be true, you need to consume a high quality agave syrup. Be careful, however, of the fructose present at 60 to 90% in agave syrup and which can have a harmful effect on health in the event of overconsumption.

 MAPLE SYRUP

Maple syrup contains little fructose and has a stronger taste than others, which helps reduce the amount consumed. It does, however, have a high glycemic index.

 COCONUT SUGAR

Derived from the sap of coconut blossoms, coconut sugar is a brown sugar that contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It has a slightly lower glycemic index than white sugar.

 BIRCH SUGAR OR XYLITOL

Birch sugar also known as xylitol is a natural sweetener made from the bark of birch trees. It has a higher sweetening power than white sugar and a lower glycemic index. Be careful, consuming too much xylitol can lead to unwanted side effects including laxatives.