When it comes to coffee sweeteners, the days of sugar cubes are long gone. Adults are opting for more holistic diets, which frequently include avoiding processed sweets. Natural sweeteners such as honey, stevia, and maple syrup are excellent sugar replacements in coffee.
Stevia is one of the most nutritious coffee sweeteners. Although it contains no calories, like other artificial sweeteners, it is nonetheless regarded as a natural sugar alternative. It’s a wonderful option for diabetics who are checking their blood sugar levels or those who are controlling their weight.
The better nutritional content of most alternative coffee sweeteners is one of the advantages of using a sugar replacement in coffee. Sugars that have been refined, especially commercial brown sugar, have been associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and weight gain.
Keep reading to learn more.
The Best Coffee Sweeteners
Coffee sweeteners all serve the same function when it comes to coffee: to make your morning coffee just a little bit softer, especially for those who don’t like the flavour of the coffee.
Erythritol
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol derived from plant polysaccharides. It, like stevia, must be chemically changed before it can be used as a sweetener. This procedure has been in use since the 1990s.
Erythritol resembles table sugar in appearance but is significantly finer in texture. The granules may be used in any recipe that calls for sugar, but they are usually combined with stevia.
Erythritol has no calories and is low in carbs; it is suitable for diabetics because it does not affect glucose levels. There will be no blood sugar spikes or empty calories here! It is the ideal wellness-friendly accompaniment to coffee, which is why we add it, along with monk fruit, to our products.
Monk Fruit’s Extract
Monk fruit extract is becoming increasingly popular in coffee shop beverages, and anybody with a sweet appetite will like this exceptionally sweet sugar substitute.
The fruit’s roots are in southern China, where it has been used for hundreds of years for medical purposes. The seeds and peel of the fruit are removed before the fleshy components are crushed up into a pulp to extract the sweetness.
The resultant drink has no calories, making it an appealing alternative for those managing their weight. It also has up to 200 times the sweetness of normal sugar. It may be used in place of sugar everywhere sugar is used, although in fewer amounts.
Stevia
The sweetener is derived from the stevia plant in South America, and its sweet characteristics have been utilised in treatments and teas for over 1,500 years in Brazil and Paraguay. Chemical processing converts the plant into the stevia found on retail shelves, which is commonly called Truvia.
A small amount of stevia goes a long way. Stevia is up to 300 times sweeter than table sugar, so use caution when using it in baked products. It is packaged in packets similar to artificial sweeteners or liquids.
Agave Nectar
Mexico introduced agave nectar to the sweetener market in the 1990s. The nectar, or syrup, is derived from the blue agave plant, which also serves as the basis for another Mexican import: tequila.
The sweetener has the viscosity of honey but a lower glycemic index. That implies it’s better for people who need to monitor their blood glucose levels, such as diabetics. It should nevertheless be drunk in moderation due to its high fructose content.
It contains even more fructose than high-fructose corn syrup, but it is less harmful to your health because it is derived from natural sources, unlike white sugar, which is processed.
Honey
Honey’s antioxidant benefits already make it a popular sweetener in tea, but it’s also becoming popular in coffee. Honey has been used in alternative medicine since ancient times to combat infection.
It was used to heal gastrointestinal problems and even lower blood pressure. That spoonful of sweetness contains vitamins and minerals such as potassium and magnesium.
Maple Syrup
The thick sweetener has a long local history, having been utilized as a favourite sweetener by Native Americans long before European immigrants arrived on the East Coast. There is now a wide range of tastes available, ranging from more powerful syrups to fruity alternatives.
Choose darker, all-natural syrups for an antioxidant boost. Maple syrup also contains calcium, magnesium, and potassium. However, maple syrup is not a low-calorie sweetener, so use it sparingly in your coffee.
Watch the video to learn more.
Facts About Stevia
Stevia sweeteners contain naturally occurring sweet-tasting components. People who like naturally-sourced meals and beverages may profit from this trait. Stevia’s low-calorie count classifies it as a healthy solution for diabetic management or weight loss.
It is Good For Diabetic Patients
According to the findings of most recent studies, stevia has little to no influence on blood glucose, insulin levels, blood pressure, or body weight.
It Is Great For Weight Control
Stevia has no sugar and almost no calories. It can be included in a well-balanced diet to help lower calorie consumption while maintaining flavor. People are advised to use it as a substitute for white sugar.
Pancreatic Cancer
Stevia includes a variety of sterols and antioxidants, including kaempferol. In several studies, Kaempferol has been proven to lower the incidence of pancreatic cancer by 23%.
Blood pressure
It has been discovered that some glycosides in stevia extract widen blood vessels. They may also cause an increase in salt excretion and urine production. According to a 2003 study, Stevia may help decrease blood pressure. According to the findings, the stevia plant may have cardiotonic properties.
Cardiotonic effects help to maintain normal blood pressure and heart rate. However, newer research indicates that stevia has no effect on blood pressure. More study is needed to establish this stevia advantage.
Conclusion
The stevia plant is governed by the US Department of Agriculture rather than the FDA (USDA). The absence of a GRAS designation by the FDA does not imply that the stevia plant is inherently harmful.
Stevia’s potential health advantages require more research before they can be validated. However, you can be certain that stevia is safe to ingest and is an excellent substitute for sugar when you need an extra burst of sweetness.
