What’s the Healthiest Sweetener?

There are essentially two kinds of sugars in the foods we eat: naturally occurring sugar (for example, fructose in fruit and lactose in milk) and added sugars. The American Heart Association defines added sugar as “any sugars or caloric sweeteners that are added to foods or beverages during processing or preparation.”

Processed foods, sugar-sweetened drinks (soda, juice, sports drinks), and refined carbohydrates like white bread, pastries, cookies, and breakfast cereals are typically the biggest offenders of added sugar, with sucrose (regular table sugar) and high-fructose corn syrup commonly added.

sweetener

The United States is ranked as having the highest sugar consumption per day, with the average American adult consuming about 77 grams (almost 20 teaspoons) of added sugar daily and American children consuming roughly 65 grams (16 teaspoons) a day. These numbers are 2–3 times the daily recommended allowance, as the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends limiting daily added sugar intake to 9 teaspoons (36 grams) for men; 6 teaspoons (25 grams) for women; less than 6 teaspoons (24 grams) for toddlers and teens between the ages of 2 and 18; and zero added sugars for children under the age of 2.

Correlation studies continue to link excessive sugar intake with negative health effects and chronic diseases, and it is well established that an increase in dietary sugar has led to a higher prevalence of most modern chronic health problems. These include type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, dementia, obesity, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, cancer, kidney disease, tooth decay, skin disease, joint disease, and insomnia. Though many of us are aware of these health effects and make great efforts to reduce our sugar consumption or use a sugar substitute, it’s still confusing as to what’s the best sugar alternative. This makes it all the more important to find a healthy substitute for refined table sugar.

Sugar Substitutes

Here’s a breakdown of the most commonly available sugar substitutes:

Artificial Sweeteners: At first glance, artificial sweeteners —Splenda (sucralose),  NutraSweet and Equal (aspartame), Sweet’N Low (saccharin) — look tempting because they offer essentially zero calories and are much sweeter than regular sugar, only requiring a small amount to sweeten your food or drink. However, artificial is the key word. Artificial sugars are synthetic sugar substitutes that are linked to negative health effects. Numerous studies that span decades have been conducted on the safety of artificial sugars. Some raise concerns that frequent consumption of artificial sweeteners can actually cause weight gain while other studies link artificial sweeteners with diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, cancer, and cardiovascular problems. These studies are ongoing to determine the long-term health effects of artificial sweeteners.

Sugar Alcohols: Common sugar alcohols include xylitol, erythritol, sorbitol, and maltitol. This kind of sugar substitute is a carbohydrate naturally derived from fruits and vegetables, although many sugar alcohols are manufactured from other sugars. Compared to table sugar they are lower in calories and not as sweet. Xylitol is one of the most popular sugar alcohols and considered safe in small amounts. However, sugar alcohols do come with some health warnings. Large consumption of certain sugar alcohols can cause gastrointestinal issues. Consumption of maltitol can also cause a rise in blood sugar levels.

Novel Sweeteners: Stevia, for example, is a non-caloric, plant-based sweetener and is 200 times sweeter than table sugar, which means you don’t need to use a lot. Stevia from the whole plant is the least processed and the best source to consume. Monk fruit sweetener, also known as Lo Han Guo, is also plant-based, contains zero calories or carbohydrates, does not raise blood pressure, and is significantly sweeter than table sugar. Monk fruit may also provide antioxidant properties. Like stevia, monk fruit is very sweet. A little goes a long way.

Natural Sugar Sweeteners: Honey, molasses, maple syrup, fruit juices, and nectar (like agave nectar) all fall under the natural sugar sweetener category, but even these require a word of caution. Though promoted as a healthier option than table sugar because they are naturally derived, these kinds of sweeteners contain a lot of sugar (e.g. fructose) and are often highly processed. When consuming a natural sugar sweetener, use it in small amounts.

Wiseman Health Take-Home Advice

  • Most important: Avoid eating any processed food with added sugar or consuming any added sugar at all, as we really should get our sugar solely from natural whole foods like fruits and vegetables. However, we do recognize that avoiding all added sugar is difficult in our modern food culture, so we encourage you to be aware that the less added sugars you consume, the better chance you’ll have for good health. Be mindful of the AHA’s daily recommendations for added sugar: 9 teaspoons (36 grams) for men; 6 teaspoons (25 grams) for women; less than 6 teaspoons (24 grams) for toddlers and teens between the ages of 2 and 18; and zero added sugars for children under the age of 2. As well, to learn some practical strategies to help decrease your daily sugar intake read The Importance of Decreasing Daily Sugar Consumption.
  • Avoid all artificial sweeteners—Splenda, NutraSweet, Equal, and Sweet’N Low. It’s tempting to choose this kind of substitute over table sugar because of its “zero calorie” allure, but artificial sweeteners are not the healthier option.
  • Be mindful of replacing table sugar with brown sugar, turbinado sugar, or coconut sugar, as they are not necessarily the healthier option. Brown sugar is basically refined white sugar with added molasses. Turbinado sugar, often marketed as a “raw” sugar, is partially processed sugar that retains some of the original molasses from the sugarcane but also contains the same calories and carbs as table sugar. Coconut sugar, which does not come from the coconut fruit itself but rather the sap of the coconut palm, is still similar to table sugar with its sucrose and fructose content. Be careful of agave sweeteners or syrups, as they are often highly processed and contain high amounts of fructose.
  • If you’re trying to avoid sugar sweeteners and would like to use a non-caloric sweetener, then stevia is the best option.The best source of stevia is the whole leaf concentrate or the actual stevia leaf. If you have to use stevia extracts, which are more widely available but less raw, use the ones that are less processed such as SweetLeaf Stevia®.
  • If you would like to use a natural sugar sweetener, we prefer honey. Honey, which is a “whole food” source, is best when it’s raw—meaning that it is both non-heated and unfiltered. It is also best to buy and consume local raw honey, when possible. Using honey in unsweetened food or in your morning coffee is a great strategy. You can also use grass-fed butter to make butter coffee; the butter is a healthy substitute for sugar and can be used in place of honey. Remember, if you’re using honey on a daily basis, try to keep your total honey consumption to no more than a tablespoon a day.

Editor’s Note: This content was created by our Wiseman Health content and writing team, without the influence of artificial intelligence engines. Our goal is to be your trusted source for natural health and medical information. This article was originally published on August 4, 2014 and has since been updated.

(2018, July 10) 45 Alarming Statistics on American’s Sugar Consumption and the Effects of Americans’ Health. thediabetescouncil.com.Retrieved April 24, 2019 https://www.thediabetescouncil.com/45-alarming-statistics-on-americans-sugar-consumption-and-the-effects-of-sugar-on-americans-health/

Schmidt, L. (2015, April 15) Diet soda and belly fat: a growing concern. universityofcalifornia.edu.Retrieved April 25, 2019 https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/diet-soda-and-belly-fat-growing-concern

LaMotte, S. (2018, April 23). Artificial sweeteners: Where do we stand? cnn.com.Retrieved May 1, 2019 https://www.cnn.com/2016/01/18/health/where-do-we-stand-artificial-sweeteners/index.html

Leech, J. (2018, September 19). Sugar Alcohols: Good or Bad? healthline.com. Retrieved May 1, 2019 https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sugar-alcohols-good-or-bad

McDermott, A. (2015, April 15). Monk Fruit vs. Stevia: Which One Should You Use? healthline.com.https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/monk-fruit-vs-stevia.

McCulloch, M. (2019, January 8) What Is Turbinado Sugar? Nutrition, Uses, and Substitutes. healthline.com.Retrieved May 1, 2019. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/turbinado-sugar

Asprey, D. 5 Not-So-Sweet-Facts About Coconut Sugar. blog.bulletproof.com.Retrieved May 2, 2019. https://blog.bulletproof.com/5-not-so-sweet-facts-about-coconut-sugar/

Leech, J. (2018, November 5). Agave Nectar: A Sweetener That Is Even Worse Than Sugar? healthline.com.Retrieved May 2, 2019. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/agave-nectar-is-even-worse-than-sugar

18 Replies to “What’s the Healthiest Sweetener?”

  1. I believe coconut sugar is THE BEST SUGAR ALTERNATIVE!

    Coconut Sugar is an unrefined sweetener produced from the flower buds of the coconut tree. It is organic and is an all-natural, non-GMO Project verified alternative to processed sugar and artificial sweeteners. It is low glycemic, 15 calories per 4g serving, 4g of sugar.

    You can buy it at HEB, Whole Foods, Trader Joes…

    GOOGLE COCONUT SUGAR/ COCONUT PALM SUGAR (zero sugar in it) AND SEE ALL OF THE OTHER BENEFITS! It also TASTES LIKE SUGAR! No weird aftertaste or bitterness. I’ve tried every alternative and I’m a real sugar lover and have been all of my life, so the taste is huge to me. I use coconut palm sugar (has even more benefits than the nectar form. I put it in my coffee, bake pies with it….people always swear I put sugar in it. I carry a little bottle of it in my purse to put into ice tea on the go (restaurants).

    Check it out!

    Susan

  2. Thank you very much for this. I knew not to use artificial sweeteners, but wasn’t sure what to use instead.

    1. I don’t think its nutrient profile is necessarily better but just different. As far as my approach to maple syrup, I think it falls under the same argument as honey. Make sure it is as natural and unprocessed as possible, but keep in mind it still has a lot of sugar (fructose) in it so you have to be careful. Remember to keep your total daily sugar consumption to under 30 grams for optimal health. Thanks for the input:)

  3. Thank you for reading my mind, as wondered about Stevia if insulin sensitive. Wondering if I can try Plexus w Stevia to help lose weight or if I can even go on HCG as healing from insulin issues. Private message if needed 🙂

    1. Stevia is safe with all weight loss approaches that I know of. I have not heard of any bad reactions. Remember, stevia is 200 times sweeter than table sugar so a little goes a long way! As far as certain weight loss approaches and therapies for insulin insensitivity, I take a very individual approach to this. Come see me and we can talk about which path is right for you. Thanks for responding;)

      1. It was in the news recently that Stevia increases insulin levels. I’m wondering if Monk Fruit is better now.

  4. I heard today on Dr Oz that Monk fruit is a great sugar to use and it supposedly doesn’t raise blood sugar. I’m not sure this is accurate and have never tried it. Any input on Monk fruit?

    1. Hi, Jenny. Monk fruit extract has gained popularity as a natural zero-calorie sweetener as it does not contain calories or carbohydrates and does not raise blood glucose levels. Research continues on its other potential health benefits such as providing anti-inflammatory properties. We generally advise our patients to avoid adding sugar or sweeteners to food or beverages and to limit overall daily sugar intake to less than 30 grams a day. However, if a sweetener is needed, then a natural “whole food” such as the monk fruit extract can be used in small amounts so long as other ingredients, such as fillers, have not been added to the packaged monk fruit extract.

    2. Have tried monk fruit and really did not like the taste. Wishing I did like it because it seems to be one of the best alternatives.

  5. From my research on the subject, Monk Fruit and Stevia are the superior substitutes when it comes to health, and avoiding a rise in blood sugar, causing an insulin response. One additional note I also suspect that products such as Truvia from the Monsantos Corporation have processed Steveia to the point where its safety is questionable. Since Monk Fruit is better anyway, I stay away from products that add compounds to naturally occurring alternative sweeteners.

    Thank you for publishing this information.

    1. I am allergic to ragweed but have used stevia for years without any allergic reaction. The more perplexing issue is that I am still insulin resistant and heard recently that stevia increases insulin levels so I’m reconsidering using it in baking and drinks. Maybe honey and dates are better as they are Whole Foods.

  6. I have recently found an USDA Organic, Gluten Free, GMO free sugar alternative that is much lower in calories per TBLS.
    It is “Pure Date Syrup.” TTL Carbs=13 grams@ TBLS . Also some trace minerals. single ingredient is Organic Dates.
    I found it at HEB (several, but not all, locations) in the Baking isle along with the rest of the sweetners.
    Manufactured under the “Date Lady” label. All orange and white label, a small-sized 12 OZ container. No refrigeration required! BPA free recyclable plastic bottle. Long shelf life (the one I just purchased expires 09/25/2021.)
    SKEW 52078 00600
    Ilovethedatelady.com
    @thedatelady
    #syrupofchampions
    #mysyrupofchoice
    ENJOY!

    1. Allulose is a relatively new sweetener to the market. It’s a naturally occurring sugar found in certain foods such as figs, raisins, maple syrup, brown sugar, and wheat but only occurs in very small amounts, which is why it’s considered a rare sugar. Because of this, allulose is currently created commercially from fructose rather than sold in its natural form. Studies thus far show that allulose doesn’t affect blood glucose or insulin and also provides minimal calories. However, because allulose is so new to the market, on-going human studies continue on its efficacy and safety. Even though there are many pros to allulose, there is still much to learn about it, and it is always our recommendation to avoid adding any sugar or sweeteners to your diet, when possible.

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