Sugar Isn’t the Only Naturally Sweet Plant

The sugar industry would have you believe that in order for anything to be properly sweetened, it must contain sugar. Sugar, so they claim, is the best sweetening agent found in nature and is the natural choice for sweetening the foods we eat and the drinks we drink. However, we here at SoPure Stevia know this to be untrue. As one of the world’s largest wholesale stevia suppliers, we know that while sugar does have amazing sweetening properties, it is far from the best option available. While we recommend using our all natural stevia extracts, in today’s post we are going to list a few other sweeteners that can replace sugar in your daily life.

• Agave Syrup: Agave syrup is derived from the agave plant which is native to Mexico. Agave syrup has a thinner consistency than honey, and dissolves quickly making it ideal to use in cold beverages. However, while agave syrup is regarded as a healthy alternative to sugar, it has a high fructose content. Agave syrup fructose content ranges from 45 to 95 percent, whereas sugar clocks in at around 50 percent.

• Erythritol: Erythritol is another low-calorie sweetener that contains about 0.24 calories per gram, or about 6 percent of the calories of sugar. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that is found naturally in certain fruits, however, the vast majority of it is made through industrial processes. This sugar substitute doesn’t spike blood sugar or insulin levels, however, it can cause digestive issues if you consume too much at a time.

• Xylitol: Another sugar alcohol, xylitol, contains 2.4 calories per gram, or about 2/3rds of the caloric value of sugar, and has a sweetness similar to sugar. This sugar substitute seems to have some other benefits besides just sweetening, including reducing the risk of cavities and helping prevent dental decay. However, like all sugar alcohols, xylitol can cause digestive discomfort in high doses and is also highly toxic to dogs.
• Yacon Syrup: Yacon Syrup is harvested from the Yacon plant which grows in the Andes in South America. This sweetener has gained a recent spike in popularity because a study found that it caused significant weight loss in overweight women. Yacon Syrup is high in fructooligosaccharides, which function as soluble fibers that nourish the good bacteria located in the intestine. However, like sugar alcohols, Yacon syrup can cause digestive discomfort if consumed in high doses.

As you can see, while stevia is far from the only sugar substitute available on the market, it is the only one that is calorically neutral without affecting the digestive tract of the individual that consumes it. To learn more about our all natural stevia extracts and blends, contact us today at SoPure Stevia. As one of the world’s largest wholesale stevia suppliers, we are confident that once you sample our products, you will be impressed by the pure taste and amazing sweetening power. Contact us today to learn more!