Friday, August 7, 2009

Don't Use Artificial Sweeteners When Natural Sweeteners Are So Much Better

By Jamis Hartley

Hundreds of people are seeking out healthy alternatives to sugar. Some are looking to lose weight or just trying to keep their bodies running smooth. Others, unfortunately, are suffering from health conditions like diabetes and must find a different way to manage their diet. The good news is it can be done. The bad news is there are a lot of tricky products out there to watch out for.

Sugar substitutes like saccharin, aspartame and the like are reproduced and processed in such a way that they are not good for you. When you have the option to use a sweetener that is good for you and works just as well as sugar (if not better), why would you use unnatural substitutes? My best advice is to stay away from any sweetener that is man made. I could be wrong, but in general I think it's good practice to trust mother nature over the good intentions of man.

Some of the promising natural sweeteners hitting the market are Mannitol, Sorbitol, Stevia, Xylitol and, my favorite, Erythritol. These sweeteners are a good healthy alternative to sugar but even among these healthier choices there are things to consider. Erythritol is the natural sweetness in many fruits and vegetables. It is all natural and is easily digested making it a safe choice.

Occurring naturally in pears, grapes, melons and mushrooms, Erythritol is calorie free and 100% natural. Erythritol will not cause cavities in your teeth and is easily digested unlike some of the other natural sweetener options. It is widely used in foods and drinks on a commercial level you just didn't know it. As compared to other all natural sweeteners Erythritol is likely to be your safest bet.

Natural sweeteners like Erythritol are great for diabetics and those with other medical conditions. Erythritol will not effect you blood sugar levels, does not hurt your teeth and has practically zero calories. It scores zero on the glycemic index, has no carbohydrates and has .2 calories per gram. Even better, you can cook with Erythritol where you can't with many other sugar substitutes. Erythritol is my preferred natural sweetener. Before you make it yours make sure you read around and try it for yourself.

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