Healthy Forms of Sugar

Ditch the refined and processed sugars for a much healthier alternative that will still satisfy your sweet tooth. You’ll soon learn that there are plenty of healthy forms of sugar for you to include in your diet!

Agave Nectar

Agave Nectar has a low glycemic index, allowing for sweetness without the negative side effects of sugar. Agave plants have Saponins, which has anti-inflammatory, immune system-boosting properties, even anti-microbial capability. Agave plants also have Fructans in it, which is believed to help lower cholesterol. Agave plants also have Inulin, which is a carbohydrate that many scientists believe helps with weight loss.

Barley Malt

Barley Malt comes from sprouted barley that is fermented, and has a sweet (about half as sweet as white sugar) and has a “malt” flavor.

Black Strap Molasses 

Blackstrap Molasses is a sweetener that has many health benefits associated with it. Blackstrap Molasses comes from the process of refining sugar cane into white (table) sugar. Basically, all of the healthy stuff that’s no longer in white sugar, is in the blackstrap molasses. This sweetener has high amounts of manganese, copper, iron, and calcium.

Brown Rice Syrup

Brown Rice Syrup comes from soaking or cooking brown rice with enzymes to break down the starches into a sweet syrup.

Date Sugar

Date sugar comes from dried dates that have been ground into a powder. Date sugar doesn’t really melt or dissolve well into recipes, but still can be used in many recipes – or even as a sweet garnish.

Fruit

If you are in the mood for something sweet, you can always eat some delicious fresh fruit! You will satisfy your sweet tooth while enjoying the nutrients and fiber associated with the fruit(s) you are enjoying.

Maple Syrup

The sap coming from the maple trees are boiled down to make Maple Syrup. This sugar is significantly less processed compared to other sugars, and contains trace amounts of nutrients. I love Maple Syrup since it’s so full of flavor, but it’s used in moderation since it’s fairly high in calories.

Raw Honey

Raw honey isn’t processed, but it is minimally filtered. In it’s pure and raw state still in tact, you will be able to enjoy the maximum amount of honey’s natural antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and vital phytonutrients, where all the nutrients are still preserved.

Stevia Rebaudiana 

Stevia is a herb that is sweeter than refined sugar but it’s calorie free and has no negative effect on the body’s production of insulin.

Xylitol

Xylitol is derived from fruits and vegetables (not the same thing as fructose). Most other forms of sugars are six-carbon sugars, which cause bacterial and fungi overgrowth. Xylitol, however, is a five-carbon sugar, making it an anti-microbial, which prevents the growth of bacteria.

Moderation

Even though there are many different types of healthy sugars available to you, sugar should still be consumed in moderation. Yes, you need sugar (from natural sources), but it’s not the only thing your body needs. Enjoy in moderation, just like anything else.

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Tags: glycemic index, Health, natural sweetener, Nutrition, sugar

Health Benefits of Agave Nectar

Agave Nectar is a wonderful Sugar Replacement!

Agave Nectar

Blue Agave Nectar is the most common species of Agave plants. If you buy Agave Nectar, chances are they are from the Blue Agave plants.

The two most common types of Agave nectar is either “Light”, “Amber”, or “Dark”.

The Light Agave Nectar has less heating and a more thorough filtration process, which makes a more mild and neutral flavored product. The Dark Agave Nectar is filtered less, and what’s left in the syrup allows for it to have a stronger taste to it, comparable to maple syrup.

The Darker the Agave Nectar, the less processed it is said to be. For me personally, I would rather have a product in its most raw and natural form.

Health Benefits

Agave Nectar has a low glycemic index. This allows for sweetness without the side effects of Sugar, such as an unhealthy blood sugar spike more commonly known as a “Sugar Rush”. This makes for Agave Nectar to be a much healthier alternative to processed sugars and artificial sweeteners, and can be used for those who are diabetic, or just trying to be healthier.

GLYCEMIC VALUES
Organic Agave Nectar 27
Fructose (fruit sugar) 32
Lactose (milk sugar) 65
Honey 83
High fructose corn syrup 89
Sucrose (sugar) 92
Glucose 137
Glucose tablets 146
Maltodextrin 150
Maltose 150

Source: BlueAgaveNectar.com

Agave plants have Saponins, which has anti-inflammatory, immune system-boosting properties, even anti-microbial capability. Agave plants also have Fructans in it, which is believed to help lower cholesterol. Agave plants also have Inulin, which is a carbohydrate that many scientists believe helps with weight loss.

Agave Nectar has also been proven to help with intestinal bacteria. Modern technology has confirmed that when using salt with Agave Nectar, it increases the anti-microbial property of the plant, which was originally used by the Aztecs for dressing wounds and using as a balm for skin infections.

So as you are trying to be healthier, find ways to add Agave Nectar in to your day-to-day diet. You will reap the many health benefits, and it will be a much better substitute for sugar or artificial sweeteners.

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Tags: agave syrup, ageve nectar, amber, Anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, blue agave nectar, dark, Fructans, glycemic index, Healing, Healthy, immune system, inulin, light, Lose Weight, low glycemic, salt, saponins, Skinny, sugar replacement, sweetness, Weight Loss