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Healthy sweetener? Syrup or honey are really healthier than sugar?
As white table sugar is considered to be particularly unhealthy, more and more people are turning to alternative sweeteners. But are honey, syrups or other sugars actually healthier than conventional sugar?
Alternatives to table sugar
For health reasons, it is generally recommended to abstain from sweetening, as a high sugar intake may be associated with problems such as tooth decay, diabetes, obesity or cardiovascular disease. In the past, fructose was often recommended as an alternative, but even this is not healthy sugar, as scientific studies showed. And even the highly praised sweetener Stevia has not started triumphant. Are there any healthier alternatives? Experts clarify.
Because white table sugar is considered particularly unhealthy, more and more people are turning to alternative sweeteners. But are honey, syrups and Co. really healthier? (Image: nitr / fotolia.com) Agave syrup tastes much sweeter
In the current issue of the journal "Neue Apotheken Illustrierte" (February 15, 2017) there is an overview of alternative sweeteners, reports the news agency dpa.
Agave syrup, for example, is a vegetable juice that tastes much sweeter than sugar, so you need less of it. It can be used, for example, in muesli, compote and other desserts.
However, it contains mainly fructose, which can disturb the metabolism in larger quantities. In addition, the thick sticks to the teeth and promotes tooth decay.
Maple syrup mainly contains sucrose
Also popular is maple syrup. Desserts, shakes, pancakes and waffles can be refined with the golden yellow to dark brown syrup. This sweetener contains mainly sucrose - chemically the same compound as table sugar.
For some years coconut blossom sugar is available in this country. This comes from the juice of the coconut blossom, tastes a little less sweet than sugar and has a mild caramel note. This alternative also consists essentially of sucrose, ie table sugar.
According to the report, he allegedly lowers the blood sugar level. However, there are no meaningful studies.
Honey has fewer calories than sugar
As a sweetener is very common honey. It mainly contains fruit and glucose, ie fructose and glucose. The bee product has fewer calories than table sugar due to its water content.
Honey fans swear by the benefits of the natural product. For example, a glass of honey water can help you lose weight in the morning and strengthen your health at the same time.
But there are also disadvantages: honey is sticky, adheres to the teeth and according to the message he favors caries more than sugar.
Reduce sugar consumption
Even brown sugar is no healthier than white, as consumer advocates reported.
According to health experts, the use of sugar and most alternatives should generally be reduced. It should always be remembered that hidden sugar is found in many food products.
Recommendations such as those from the World Health Organization (WHO) therefore include all types of sugar, such as sugar cubes, fructose and honey, sugar used in the production of food or drink, and sugar, which is consumed separately.
The WHO advocates a lower sugar intake of less than five percent of the total daily energy intake.
As the experts said, "further reduction to less than five percent or about 25 grams (six teaspoons) per day could bring additional health benefits". (Ad)