The consumption of sweeteners has been increasing at a steady rate, and the potential health consequences of this practice have been under considerable debate. Artificial sweeteners can provide a sweet taste with zero calories. However, how safe they are has been a big question mark. They have shown positive associations with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Keep in mind that the use of these sweeteners means ingesting processed and refined compounds to our bodies.

If you are still unfamiliar with the side effects and consequences of sweeteners, then look no further, and read the information below:

• Hinder your fat loss;
• Induce a potential depression;
• Long term use causes toxic and carcinogenic effects;
• Aspartame and saccharin have acute side effects, such as headache, dry mouth, dizziness, and mood swings;
• Negatively impacts your gut and dental health;
• Negatively retrain your taste buds.

If your goal is to cut down calories and lose weight, artificial sweeteners are not the way to go.  If you are diabetic and want to reduce your blood sugar, artificial sweeteners won’t help you accomplish that.

The aforementioned information increased the demand for a better and safer substitution. What is more reliable than a natural form of sweetness?!

Maple syrup: it is made from evaporated maple tree sap. It’s rich in magnesium, zinc and other minerals and helps maintain optimal immune system function.

Raw Honey: it is pure, unfiltered, unpasteurized, and is rich in minerals. It is high in bioactive compounds, and has a great antioxidant ability, which helps with seasonal allergies.

Coconut sugar: also known as palm sugar, is made from the sap of coconut palm flower blossoms. It is a great source of minerals such as magnesium, potassium, zinc, vitamin C, B vitamins and even contains amino acids.

Date paste: It is a delicious, all-natural sweetener made from nature’s candy (DATES). It’s approved, vegan and a paleo-friendly sugar substitute. It is a good source of fiber, rich in antioxidants, and contains calcium, magnesium, potassium and other minerals that promote bone health.

Rapadura: It is a whole, unrefined cane sugar that is made by crushing the cane, extracting the juice, and dehydrating it into granules.  It’s considerably healthier than conventional cane sugar, because it retains the natural molasses and trace nutrients like calcium, potassium, and vitamins.

Molasses: it is another liquid sweetener that is rich in minerals and flavor.  It adds depth to recipes with spices like cinnamon, clove and cacao.

Stevia: it is an herb that is considered to be up to 200 times sweeter than sugar. It doesn’t raise blood sugar levels like regular sugar does. Many modern forms of stevia are highly processed so stick to stevia in herb form or pure extract.

Carob molasses: also called carob syrup, is widely consumed as an energy boost, especially during the cold. They mainly contain high amounts of natural sugars, some minerals (iron, phosphorus, calcium and potassium), as well as organic acids.