Thursday, August 13, 2015

Natural and healthy alternatives to refined sugar

Recent research reported that refined or white sugar is harmful to health, because it is addictive, causes problems to the pancreas, "takes" calcium to be synthesized in the body, it adds artificial components the Agency, among others. If you are looking for healthier alternatives to white sugar, don't read the following article.


Natural and healthy alternatives to refined sugar

1- Stevia:

It is undoubtedly the first of the list because it is the most natural. Increasingly it is becoming more popular and is the sweetest. But you have to be careful in purchasing the sweetener stevia in the form of liquid or small packets, because they are artificial. Stevia is a plant native to South America, more precisely from Paraguay and is 300 times sweeter than refined sugar
The good news is that it contains no calories and also does not increase levels of glucose in the blood. He is available in many health food stores as a herb, which must be an infusion to consume it or to have a quarter of a teaspoon.
Stevia is a mild hypotensive, regulates the heart beat, low pressure if it is too high, has diuretic and vasodilator effects, is ideal for diabetics, facilitates digestion and bowel functions, counteracts fatigue, nourishes the spleen, pancreas, and liver, as well as having many medicinal uses.

2- Agave syrup:

It is native to Mexico, widely used in this country. Its glycemic index is 30, less than half that refined sugar (has 65). This means that the body digests it and absorbed much more slowly. Then, instead of sudden spikes in insulin and glucose levels, it makes these will rise more slowly.
There are two types of agave syrup in the shops, in the form of more or less dark syrup. It is 25% sweeter than the white sugar and can be used in the same manner as honey, because consistency is similar. It occurs also as a substitute for vegans who do not consume any animal derivative.


Natural and healthy alternatives to refined sugar

3- Maple syrup:

Also known as Maple, it comes from the SAP of maple trees. They grow naturally in the colder regions of North America. The taste is delicious, like candy and is typically used for pancakes and ice cream, pouring over these two desserts that both are consumed in the United States, for example.
Natural pure maple syrup is expensive but is very nutritious and tasty, a healthy alternative to refined sugar. It also offers minerals such as zinc, magnesium, calcium and potassium, protein, riboflavin and more than 20 antioxidants. You must be careful when buying maple syrup because if it is inexpensive, it contains high levels of sugar and artificial.

4- Honey:

It is the substitute for the best-known sugar of all. It has a wonderful flavor and offers many nutritional benefits. It is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, enzymes, phytonutrients, carbohydrates and amino acids and provides us with their antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. It is therefore quite used in folk medicine. While it is true that it has more calories than white sugar, it is also sweeter, so quantities are smaller.
Best to buy organic or natural, honey of local production on farms or fields, and dismiss those of industrial production that have many additional ingredients that take away their essential nutrients.

5- Coconut sugar:

It is a sweetener, natural and very popular in the kitchen Asian, being recently 'known' in Western countries. It has the same index Glycemic agave (35) and that syrup is just one of the reasons why its consumption is more and more present in the world. Coconut sugar has very high levels of minerals, more than any other kind. It also provides vitamin C.
The Commission for agriculture and food of the World Bank said coconut sugar sweetener more sustainable world, since it comes from a tree that is ecologically beneficial. It is coconut palms to repair degraded soils, don't need much water and produce up to 75% more sugar per hectare than the cane, which in turn impairs the soil where it grows.


Natural and healthy alternatives to refined sugar

6- Molasses:

It is extracted from different cereals such as maize, barley, or shank, among others. Also obtain molasses from fruit, berries or vegetables in the fermentation process. Of all the sweeteners it could say that it is the first in relation to health and nutrition. It is soft, digestible, healthy and nutritious than refined sugar or artificial sweeteners. In addition, the molasses has a high content of carbohydrates, B vitamins and minerals (potassium, calcium, iron, copper, phosphoric acid and magnesium).
By contain many carbohydrates, molasses is advised in athletes and as a remedy for cramps. It is also recommended for those who perform intense mental or physical work. One of the most common alternatives of molasses is the shank, which is obtained by extracting the juice of this plant, is subjected to a process of cooking until the water evaporates and is harvested sugar that remains in the bottom of the container.
Try these easy and useful homemade tips.your comments will highly appreciated.

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