Are natural sweeteners really good for your health? How to choose them? 【Basic Knowledge】

The key to choosing natural sweeteners like stevia and erythritol is to select them based on your purpose!

■What exactly are natural sweeteners? Natural sweeteners are those that are extracted from sweet components found in plants, such as leaves and fruits, and common "sugar" is one of the natural sweeteners. There are various types, including plant-derived stevia, monk fruit, and licorice, sugar alcohols like erythritol and xylitol, as well as honey and maple syrup. ■Do different sweeteners have completely different characteristics? Stevia and monk fruit are 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar, licorice is 30 to 40 times sweeter, erythritol is about 70% as sweet as sugar and provides a cooling sensation with a gradual increase in blood sugar levels. Xylitol has cavity-preventing effects, and agave syrup is sweeter than sugar and contains the dietary fiber inulin. ■I see, just because they are natural doesn't mean I can consume them freely! Even natural sweeteners can cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels depending on the type, so it’s important to choose them according to your goals and health condition. If you want to reduce calories, stevia is a good choice; if you want to avoid a rapid spike in blood sugar, agave syrup is preferable. It’s important to use them appropriately. Please feel free to consult with us first.

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