It can surprise you to learn that nearly 68% of processed foods offered in supermarkets include added sugar. This might make it tough for diabetics to maintain a healthy lifestyle because controlling blood sugar levels while enjoying delectable meals becomes difficult.
Did you know that artificial sweeteners, which are touted as sugar substitutes, might be chemically tainted or unhealthy? Don't worry, natural sugar is the solution to this problem. Continue reading to discover the health benefits of natural sugar.
What is Natural Sugar?
Natural sugar is a type of sugar that comes from sugarcane or sugar beets farmed using organic farming practices. These techniques promote soil health and the avoidance of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Natural sugar is produced in a more sustainable manner than conventional sugar, which is better for the environment and your health.
Choosing natural sugar can offer a guilt-free sweet delight. It is manufactured in a manner that can include fewer chemicals and contaminants, making it an excellent alternative for people wanting healthier and more ethical food options.
What are the Different Types of Natural Sugar?
1. Natural (raw) cane sugar
2. Brown sugar from nature
3. Natural refined sugar
Natural cane sugar is produced by drying sugarcane juice until crystals form. It has a rough texture and a deep caramel flavor. Natural brown sugar is prepared by combining granulated sugar with molasses, giving it a moist texture and a rich flavor. Natural sugar is refined by boiling and filtering to get a fine texture and neutral flavor that is suitable for cooking and baking.
5 Nutritional Benefits of Natural Sugar for People with Diabetes
- Lower Glycemic Index:
Natural sugar has a lower glycemic index compared to regular table sugar. This means it has a less significant impact on blood sugar levels, helping to prevent sudden spikes. For those managing diabetes, natural sugar can be a great option to help manage blood glucose levels more effectively. Plus, it's a natural and delicious way to sweeten your favorite foods and drinks.
So, next time you're looking for a healthier alternative to sugar, reach for natural sugar. Not only will it satisfy your sweet tooth, but it will also help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Pesticide-Free Experience:
The greatest and most well-known natural sugar health benefits are that they are pesticide-free.
Sugarcane is extremely vulnerable to parasite assaults by termites, grasshoppers, whiteflies, and other insects. At the same time, red rot, smut, and weeds can reduce yield and impede the sugar extraction process.
It is common for farmers to use hazardous pesticides, herbicides, and weedicides to protect their crops from disease. Unfortunately, these toxins can end up in sugarcane juice, which is processed to produce sugar. This means that the concentration of these poisons increases with each step, making the situation worse.
- It Contains High Amounts of Antioxidants:
Natural sugar, which is produced without the use of synthetic chemicals, contains a higher amount of natural molasses compared to regular sugar. Molasses is a rich source of antioxidants such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. These compounds are essential in minimizing oxidative stress and inflammation that are commonly linked to diabetes and other chronic diseases.
Antioxidants can safeguard the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals and promote overall health by boosting the immune system and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. Therefore, consuming natural sugar that contains natural molasses can be a healthier alternative to regular sugar and provide additional health benefits.
- It is Natural and Unrefined:
Natural sugar is a type of sweetener that goes through minimal processing compared to regular white sugar. Because of this, it maintains more of its natural nutrients, which are often lost during the refining process. Natural sugar contains trace elements like calcium, iron, and potassium, which are essential for optimal health. It may also benefit those with diabetes, as it has a lower glycemic index and may help regulate blood sugar levels. Overall, choosing natural sugar over regular white sugar can be a healthier choice for both you and the environment.
- Therapist of Multiple Diseases:
Sugarcane and sugarcane juice are believed to have medicinal properties in alternative therapies such as Unani or Ayurveda. However, these properties are removed during processing. As a result, raw natural cane sugar is the best alternative to raw sugarcane juice.
Natural cane sugar is high in carbohydrates and iron, making it useful in treating febrile disorders, fever, tiredness, anemia, inflammatory diseases, ulcers, and digestive issues. In addition, natural sugar contains oligosaccharides, which can boost your immune system and provide your body with antioxidants.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is natural sugar good for people with diabetes?
Not necessarily; it's important to note that natural sugar is not a magical solution for people with diabetes. Even though it's natural, it still contains sugar.
2. What are the 5 sugar substitutes for diabetes?
- Stevia is a naturally occurring sweetener that is 200-300 times sweeter than sugar.
- Monk fruit: A natural sweetener 150 times sweeter than sugar.
- Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that has 70% of the sweetness of sugar.
- Allulose is a low-calorie sugar found in several fruits and vegetables.
- Yacon syrup: A low-glycemic index syrup developed from the yacon root.
3. What is the best natural substitute for sugar for diabetics?
Stevia is the finest natural sugar alternative for diabetics. It is a calorie-free plant-based sweetener that does not elevate blood sugar levels. Stevia is also quite sweet, so you only need a small quantity to sweeten your food and beverages.
4. Does raw honey raise blood sugar?
Yes, raw honey, like all sugars, elevates blood sugar. Raw honey, on the other hand, has a lower glycemic index (GI) than table sugar, which means it does not raise blood sugar levels as quickly. Honey has a GI of 58, while table sugar has a GI of 60.