A Spoonful of Sugar

sugar A spoonful of

How sweeteners stack up from best to worst

If you've browsed the baking aisle lately, you may have been overwhelmed by the amount of sugar and sweetener alternatives available. So how are we to know which one is best? We've gathered research from top physicians and nutritionists to compile this comparison so that the next time you have coconut sugar in one hand and raw cane sugar in the other you can make an educated decision.

1. STEVIA

Nutritionists agree, if you’re going to use a sweetener, Stevia is the best option. Made from the stevia leaves, it doesn’t raise blood sugar levels the way actual sugar does. In moderation it can actually be beneficial because of its antiinflammatory properties.

2. HONEY

Although high in calories and carbohydrates, honey contains anti-microbial and anti-bacterial compounds which are what makes it great in soothing a sore throat.

3. COCONUT SUGAR

Sap from coconut trees is extracted and then placed in the heat to dry, making it less processed than refined sugar. It also contains trace amounts of minerals like magnesium and potassium. Its biggest downfall is that is causes advanced glycation end-products which gradually leads to a breakdown in collagen.

4. RAW CANE SUGAR

Cane sugar is also less processed because it is extracted from the sugar cane plant. Because of this process it isn’t refined and keeps some of its nutrients. This ultimately means you consume less sugar and calories than with table sugar. However, it comes last on our list because other than not being overly processed, it has the same composition as granulated sugar.

Refined or granulated sugar, brown sugar, agave nectar, aspartame, and splenda have more cons than anything at all and should be avoided as much as possible.

It should be noted that these sweeteners are all still sugar delivery vessels which should be limited regardless of any added health benefits.