They each add an interesting sweetness and enhance the appeal of my wholegrain toast or morning oats or dessert recipe. It’s important to look at the production of your maple syrup then, as there is a difference between conventional and organic. Does sugar deserve a green light from certain sources? Made from the African katemfe fruit, thaumatin is a rich protein source as well as a sweetener. Barley malt syrup (also known as malt extract or simply malt) is made from sprouted barley. And in turn, we’ll keep chasing that next sugar high. Youtube One level tablespoon (30g/1 oz) of honey or the sugar syrups has approx. Pure maple syrup contains 13.5 grams of carbohydrates, 12.4 of those grams being mostly sucrose, a complex sugar. © 2020 Form is a registered trademark of Find Form Ltd. All rights reserved. Blackstrap molasses is also one of the best food sources for easily absorbable iron. Versatile and a great substitute when baking, coconut sugar is a good source of magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, and B vitamins. To obtain calories, divide kilojoules by 4.2 or just 4. There are more antioxidants in maple versus honey and brown sugar. Soft drink, cordials and juices are the biggest source of added sugar. There are certainly some that are much healthier than others though. Of all eight, I like the taste of honey the best. I feel that it’s not a fair comparison: one is a liquid and the other is crystal. Roger Frampton’s Essential WFH Stretching Routine, Why Vitamin D Is the Most Important Supplement You Can Take Right Now, Why Humour Is a Superpower We Should All Learn To Harness, How to Become a Better Swimmer, With Olympian Siobhan-Marie O’Connor. Catherine Saxelby has the answers! A quarter cup of maple syrup actually exceeds the recommended daily amount. 360 kilojoules (85 Calories). With a slow, lingering sweetness and slight liquorice after-taste, some people might not enjoy the aftertaste of thaumatin (although, like stevia, it’s all down to your taste buds). It can be used in the same way as molasses. 1/4 cup nearly boiling hot water. Pinterest Grab your copy NOW! I thought I'd investigate 8 alternative sugar syrups to see if any would be healthier for me than ordinary sugar. One of the best and most traditional sweeteners, the sugar in maple syrup travels quickly to the liver to refuel your glycogen levels. However it is this high fructose content that means it can be a cause of digestive problems for some people. The sugar retains almost all of the benefits of whole dates, including the fibre content which helps slow down sugar absorption. Native to South America, yacon syrup has a slower absorption compared to other sweeteners and is a concentrated source of fructans, a molecule that is crucial to feeding our beneficial gut bacteria. From a sugar perspective, they're similar but not identical. It has a caramel flavour and you can use this brown sugar to sweeten various hot beverages, or flavour desserts like candies, cakes and other bakery items. Both still contain around the same level of sugars and have gone through a similar process of filtering, boiling and reduction. It's recommended that women consume no more than 6 teaspoons of added sugar per day, and men no more than 9 teaspoons, regardless of whether you choose agave, brown sugar or molasses. The natural molasses remain which gives the sugar the golden colour. Artificial sweeteners have also been found to have adverse metabolic effects, which correlate with pronounced changes in the microbiome that occur within a week of daily consumption. That means eating too much of it will cause swings in your blood sugar and insulin. It is about half as sweet as refined white sugar so you may be tempted to add more to get the sweetness you're after. It doesn't deserve the reverence it's often given in my opinion. The answer-not really. Derived mainly from cane sugar, blackstrap molasses is the most nutrient-rich option in the molasses family. Using the agave glucose and inulin found in the plant’s roots, manufacturers subject it to a chemical enzymatic process (using genetically modified enzymes) that converts it into nearly pure fructose (around 70 to 90 percent). Read what Laura Dalrymple & Grant Hilliard say about meat production, Love this must-have veg companion for food lovers from @AliceInFrames. Sucrose is 50 per cent glucose and 50 per cent fructose and has a moderate GI of 65. It’s also worth noting that the GI is better than pure honey, which is 58. The University of Oslo research rated it as no healthier than white sugar. the fibre) of the dates. However they can't replace sugar in all culinary situations eg baking and they still add carbs in the form of sugars and of course kilojoules or calories. Glucose has a GI of 100, sucrose has a GI of 65, and coconut sugar has a GI of 35. Additionally, it’s processed. Golden syrup is derived from molasses, the residual syrup left over from the milling of sugar cane. Beet sugar contains no nutrients and can be detrimental to our gut bacteria as most contain glyphosate residue, a weedkiller which has been banned by some countries. White sugar used to be mainly made from cane sugar. The sap that exudes from the tree is boiled to reduce it to make the sweet maple syrup. Beets themselves are nutritious but by processing the beets to make beet sugar, it produces the same results as sugar cane i.e. Wishing you all the best (if you can) for the break ahead I for one will be glad once this year 2020 has finished… https://t.co/o2BDR3UAGT. Thaumatin is digested like any other protein. Similar to other natural sweeteners like maple syrup and honey, brown rice syrup contains some trace minerals like magnesium, zinc, and manganese. Its nutritional profile is virtually identical to that of table sugar, or sucrose. Sign up NOW and get your free eReport "Eat to Boost your Immune System" and Hello Fresh discount. It also has a few minerals such as magnesium and potassium and traces of B vitamins. The syrup is filtered and reduced by heating it until the desired consistency is reached and excess water is evaporated. It's sweet, perfumed and heavenly. Conventional ones can have concentrated amounts of additives and contaminants which are used in the maple sap extraction process, effecting the health of the maple trees and the consumer. It’s also half as sweet as honey and a third of the calories. Product Review: Stevia and monkfruit sachets side-by-side, Catherine Saxelby's Nutrition for Life 2020. But there are a few elements in these last two that make them slightly more nutritious than the bleached stuff in the sugar bowl. Brown sugar might seem better than white sugar, but it’s just the same only mixed with cane sugar molasses. I’m an accredited nutritionist, blogger and award-winning author. In comparison, table sugar has a glycemic index of around 65 (6). on Tuesday, 31 December 2013. The glycemic index of maple syrup is around 54. Examining the nutritional profiles of both honey and standard sugar is useful to help us understand why some people and health professionals believe that honey is better for you than refined sugar, even though it is a concentrated form of sugar itself. Glucose is the good stuff that can be used by every cell in our bodies to produce energy and make everything work. Here’s what I’m reading at the moment. This process stops crystals from forming and thus creates a stable liquid product. It's a mixture of 36-38 per cent sucrose, 10-13 per cent glucose and fructose and 24-30 per cent water. Note some sites have this listed incorrectly with a very low GI). It’s not as easy to find as other sugars or sweeteners though. Is Golden Sugar Healthier Than White Sugar? Pure maple syrup is made from the sap of maple trees, while honey is produced by bees from plant secretions. In nature, fructose comes prepackaged with fibre, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, which has been shown to nullify the adverse effects of fructose. This sugar has a lower glycemic index (GI) than table sugar. 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. The label should simply say "100% pure maple syrup". Dates are rich in antioxidants, potassium, magnesium, selenium, calcium, amino acids, and a number of vitamins. It is often claimed to be a healthier alternative to sugar but the way I see it, agave syrup is still refined and no more healthy than maple syrup or golden syrup. If you want other nutrients with your sweetness, a 2009 study from the University of Oslo has found that some alternative sweeteners – usually the kind you'll find in health food stores - do contain some antioxidants. As the sap is reduced into a syrup, it caramelizes and takes on a deep golden … RSS, © 2020 Foodwatch Australia. The impurities still remain and this is the ‘raw, unrefined’ cane sugar. Another study showed that when we ingest a large amount of phenylalanine, it can reduce our serotonin levels, the neurotransmitter that tells us when we’re full. But I still have to answer the question, so here is the comparison. It takes a whopping 45 litres of maple tree sap water to make 1 litre of maple syrup. the fibre) of the dates. Date sugar doesn’t dissolve easily, so in this case (like tea for example) you can use date syrup instead. HFCS appears to elevate our triglycerides though, blood fats that increase the risk of heart disease. Contrary to popular belief, brown rice syrup’s glycemic index is actually higher than that of table sugar. This creates a dark-brown, thick and sticky syrup with a distinctive malty flavour. For years we have been selling that the agave syrup is an alternative to white sugar, being, apparently and supposedly, much healthier and having a low glycemic index. Some people might not enjoy the aftertaste of stevia, and if you have allergies to other plants in the Asteraceae family (burdock, sunflowers, artichokes) it’s advised to stay away. Like stevia, thaumatin has been used for centuries and shows no signs of danger to human health. There are also traces of organic acids, vitamins and some mineral material dissolved in maple syrup, with manganese, potassium, iron and calcium being the most prevalent minerals. A quarter cup of Aunt Jemima, for example, contains 210 calories and has 32 grams of sugar. The D-fructose in agave is not recognised by the human body as a natural form of fructose that’s used for energy. Q. This is what happens with agave syrup. The unnatural form of D-fructose can also raise triglyceride levels and increase adipose tissue. Agave, honey and corn syrup were way down the list. So if you can, look for organic on the label. BUT, expect syrup to be a bit runnier than honey or golden syrup if you plan on using it. The Glycemic Index of sugar is, as you would expect fairly high, coming in at 65. Because of this date sugar is deemed healthier than its syrupy counterpart. GI of 42 Low (but I'd expect this to be high similar to rice malt syrup and it's high in maltose and glucose – this product has not been GI tested following the internationally standardised method). The fibre in fruit has a gel-like effect in our stomach and small intestine, which slows down the release of sugars. Agave syrup or nectar is extracted from several species of the agave plant in Mexico but it's big point of difference is that it's mostly fructose, whereas sugar is half fructose and half glucose. I'm often asked: is it worth swapping from sugar to an alternative sweet syrup such as honey or agave? Treacle is a viscous, dark-brown liquid that has a stronger flavour and aroma than golden syrup. We compare honey, molasses, maple syrup, agave nectar and Stevia to see whether any of these sugar substitutes are healthier than plain sugar The crystals are then melted, which removes the impurities and colour, and a sugary syrup is created. Is brown rice syrup healthier than sugar? 1 cup sugar white sugar for light corn syrup, brown sugar for dark corn syrup. Honey contains some B vitamins and minerals but the quantities are tiny and not significant nutritionally – you would have to consume enormous amounts of honey to obtain the same as from whole grains. Blackstrap molasses has been promoted as a 'health food' but the quantities of B vitamins present are very small. The fact is only fructose from added industrial sugars like table sugar and high fructose corn syrup is a problem, with scientific links to contribute to declining liver function, high blood pressure, and weight gain. The syrups are often pricier than sugar – think of maple syrup or agave or barley malt syrup at $9 or more for a slim 250ml bottle so do they deserve a place in your everyday eating? This has been inverted, meaning that the sucrose has been broken down into two simpler sugars, fructose and glucose. I thought I’d investigate 8 alternative sugar syrups to see if any would be healthier for me than ordinary sugar. Along with foods, watch out for this ingredient in things like toothpaste and mouthwash. There is also sugar in coconut sugar and date sugar. Maple Syrup, on the other hand, has a glycemic index of 54 which makes it a low GI food (just barely). Most of the sugar we eat comes from ready-made and processed foods, many of which, like doughnuts, cakes, muffins, chocolate and fancy ice creams, also come bundled with saturated fat and refined starches plus additives. It’s not really a newsletter, they’re a bit boring, more just emails whenever we’ve got something interesting to say or really useful to tell you. GI is a rating of how quickly a food raises blood sugar levels. However, maple syrup is processed by boiling until the sugar condenses which may destroy many of the vitamins. Rice syrup is not healthier than white sugar (sucrose). The syrups are not straight sucrose but mixtures of glucose and fructose and sometimes other sugars, which changes the way they're absorbed. It has an appearance similar to honey and is often used as a substitute where honey is unavailable or prohibitively expensive. Think insects, collagen, vegan eating, Keto dieting, vitamin B12, fast food and cafe culture. Remember it's NOT the sugar or syrup that WE add ourselves that's the main problem. It is processed in a completely natural way to maintain as much of the sugarcane's natural nutrition as possible, including vitamins and minerals. Molasses or dark treacle has a richer colour than golden syrup, and a stronger, slightly bitter flavor. All shipping free over £40. Another round of crystallisation then makes refined sugar. For more information please see shipping page. Its sugar content is about a third less than regular molasses and contains minerals including iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium and vitamin B6. Brown rice malt syrup is a sweetener that looks similar to molasses – think thick and dark – but with a better taste more akin to barley malt syrup or strong honey. It tastes very strong and not terribly sweet nor attractive. Sugar - why quitting sugar guarantees you'll lose weight. My aim is to help busy women eat nutrient-dense foods so they maintain a healthy weight while having heaps of energy :) And stay productive. Don’t use too much of it though, as it can cause bloating, diarrhoea, flatulence, nausea for some people in high quantities. The sweet taste in Monkfruit comes from mogrosides, a group of cucurbitane-type triterpene glycosides that make up about one percent of the fruit and is about 150-250 times sweeter than table sugar. Because of this date sugar is deemed healthier than its syrupy counterpart. It belongs to the gourd family (with pumpkin, squash, cucumbers, and melons), and like stevia is in the non-caloric natural sweetener category. It’s listed as being 2000 to 3000 times sweeter than sucrose (sugar) gram for gram. The resulting sediment is a little bitter and very thick; an acquired taste that some people dislike. Fructose is naturally found in fruit (and it’s healthy), but it’s not meant to be consumed in large amounts like in these processed, concentrated, syrup-like forms. It is much higher than table sugar (GI of 60–70) and higher than almost any other sweetener on the market. Golden syrup is a translucent, golden-amber coloured, sweet syrup, which can only be produced commercially and was created in London in the 1880s. They're all similar in terms of sugars and kilojoules and I don't regard any of them as superior to white sugar. Sprouted barley, Perfect your nut roast Ahead of Christmas day with these top tips and.. And what would Happen t make a healthier option than refined white sugar has been is golden syrup healthier than sugar for energy –! I feel that it ’ s so little you can ’ t easily... Fruit also appear to block the absorption of sugar cane, is golden syrup healthier than sugar bitter flavor likely... 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Weight-Reduction and diabetic diets the sap of the benefits of whole dates, including the fibre content which contributes its! Whole grains rather than foods in their own right ) of 54, compared to 60 for cane syrup! Na means `` not available '' so the sugary syrup is not recognised by the human body a...