Natural sweeteners can be healthier than sugar, which is a simple carbohydrate. While most natural sweeteners can still be unhealthy in large amounts, they tend to be sweeter than sugar, so you can use smaller amounts -- and therefore consume fewer calories.
Agave Syrup
While agave syrup still goes through a refining process, it is less intrusive than the one used to refine sugar. Agave syrup is produced from the blue agave plants that grow in the Mexican desert. The syrup is similar in flavor to honey, and like honey, it is significantly sweeter than sugar. In addition, it has a lower glycemic index than sugar, which means your body is less likely to store it as fat, and it will not raise your blood sugar as quickly as sugar.
Date Sugar
Date sugar is unprocessed and one of the healthiest natural sweeteners. It is made from dates, which are dehydrated and then ground into granules. Since date sugar is made from dates, it contains all of the health benefits of dates. According to the What's Cooking America website, date sugar is high in fiber, but low in fat and sugars. It has a variety of nutrients, including potassium, calcium, vitamin A, and beta-carotene. You can substitute it for sugar in your recipes at a 1-to-1 ratio.
Honey
Honey is a syrupy liquid produced by bees, who make honey naturally by gathering nectar from flowers and preserving it in their hive. While honey is higher in calories than sugar, your body converts it more easily into glucose, which your body uses as fuel. It also contains vitamins and minerals, like the B vitamins, magnesium, and iron. Honey has been used historically as a healing agent, and it can be useful in curing an upset stomach.
Maple Syrup and Sugar
According to the Vermont Maple Syrup website, maple syrup and maple sugar are both produced from the sap of the maple tree. They are both organic, made by boiling the sap -- with no additives -- until it is refined into syrup. To create maple sugar, the syrup is heated further, then cooled and stirred until it becomes granulated. Unlike sugar, which has no nutrients, maple syrup and maple sugar are naturally high in vitamins and minerals, such as manganese, zinc and vitamin B-2.
References
- All About Agave: Agave Nectar vs. Granular Sugars
- What's Cooking America: Questions and Answers - What Is Date Sugar?
- USDA National Nutrient Database: Dates, Medjool, 1 Date, Pitted (24 grams)
- 3FatChicks.com; Five Little-Known Honey Health Benefits; July 2009
- Vermont Maple Syrup: Vermont Maple Overview
- Pure Canadian Maple Syrup: Maple Syrup Nutrition
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