Sucralose

Today there are three natural sugar substitutes worth your consideration and they are sucralose, agave nectar and stevia. Sucralose is better known by the brand name of Splenda. It is made from sugar, but is not sugar. Therefore it is safe for diabetics. Splenda is actually much sweeter than sugar but it measures the exact same which makes it perfect for cooking and baking. If you use any other brand there will need to be adjustments made or your food and drinks will be way too sweet. Read about Sucralose side effects.

Stevia

Stevia is a natural sweetener that is actually an herb from the same family as the Chrysanthemum. Like sucralose, it is sweeter than actual sugar. You can purchase stevia most anywhere sugar substitutes are sold. It is considered safe for diabetic patients to use this sweetener, however if you do have diabetes you should consult with your doctor first. Because stevia is natural many people feel better about using it than they would an artificial sweetener.  Read about Stevia side effects.

Agave Nectar

As a hypersweet natural substance, Agave is very high in calories, but a fraction of the amount is needed to equal the same level of sweetness as sugar.  Agave is sweeter than honey, but is less viscous.  Agave is derived from the Blue Agave plant found mainly in Mexico.  Agave nectar is made up mostly fructose and glucose, Wikipedia sites one source at 92% and 8% respectively.

When choosing the best natural sugar substitute it may be necessary to test the different ones available and see what you prefer. One person may like stevia and the other may prefer sucralose. With any sugar substitute there may be controversy, and research is required to discover the product that is best for you. However you should know that natural sweeteners can be just as good, if not better than sugar and can definitely be better for your health.

There are a variety of reasons why you should consider using a sugar substitute. However, there are so many different ones it can be difficult to discern which is the best sugar substitute. This is a matter of evaluating your personal health needs, preferences and the products you are considering. The first step is to learn as much as you can on the subject and find out about different products meant to replace sugar in your diet.

If you have high blood sugar, are pre-diabetic or diabetic, then a sugar substitute is a good idea for you. Of course this is something that should be discussed with your physician who will be the one to diagnose your blood glucose issues in the first place. Another reason to consider sugar substitutes is if you are overweight. Many people find they feel better once they cut sugar from their diet. However what works for one person may not work for another.

As you can see there are plenty of health-related reasons to use sugar substitutes. There are plenty to choose from. For example, two of the oldest are saccharine and aspartame. Known by brand names like Sweet N Low and Nutra Sweet, these substitutes are not without their share of controversy. One of the newest sweeteners is Splenda, made with sucralose. It is many times sweeter than actual sugar, however Splenda is measured the same which makes it easy to bake with.

When deciding to use a sugar substitute for health reasons, you may decide that the best sugar substitute for you is a natural one like stevia. Stevia gives you the sweetness of sugar without the side effects. Raw sugar, while not a substitute, is a healthier alternative to refined white sugar. If you have any questions about the impact of sugar or sugar substitutes on your health consult with your doctor or a registered dietitian.

Did you know that there are around 95 different negative side effects for aspartame? Maybe you don’t even know what is aspartame is? Sadly, Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that is commonly used in many candies, sugar alternatives, sodas and other drinks. Aspartame is highly dissolvable and therefore can deposit itself into any kind of tissue. The effects that aspartame has on your body can vary greatly depending on your genetics. Side effects may occur quickly, they may happen gradually, or the reactions can be acute. Many doctors believe that a large amount of people are afflicted with side effects from aspartame. Even though the side effects of aspartame are well known, it is still commonly used in many “diet” products.

The following is a list of some of the side effects for aspartame:

Aspartame may also trigger or cause, the following diseases, and Aspartame poisoning may also mimic the following diseases, making it hard to diagnose:

1. Alzheimer’s Disease
2. Multiple Sclerosis
3. Fibromyalgia
4. Hypothyroidism
5. ALS
6. Grave’s Disease
7. Epstein-Barr
8. Chronic Fatigue
9. Mercury Sensitivity
10. Lupus
11. EMS
12. ADD
13. Lymphoma
14. Lyme Disease
15. Post-Polio Syndrome
16. Meniere’s Disease

Aspartame tampers with your amino acids, decreasing levels of crucial hormones such as dopamine, tyrosine, adrenaline, seratonin, and norepinephrine. Therefore it is harder for the cause of the effects to be found in blood tests, because it is causing the symptoms to occur seemingly naturally. So the next time you go to the doctor with symptoms that can’t be explained, you can blame it on something like aspartame that is in your diet. I suggest you read the labels before you buy anything and make sure you are not ingesting Aspartame AT ALL. If you find out you are using products that contain Aspartame, THROW THEM OUT AND DON’T USE THEM ANYMORE. The effects caused by Aspartame are SERIOUS, and if you choose to consume Aspartame daily then you should do so on your own discretion.