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Sugar Alternatives

Sugar Alternatives

They exist, the sugar alternatives: essentially, they are divided into three groups, the sugar substitutes, the natural sugar alternatives and the natural sweeteners.

Sugar substitutes (sugar alcohols)

sorbitol
The sugar alcohol of fructose. It occurs in some fruits, such as: rowan berries and plums. There is no maximum limit. Beware of an existing fructose intolerance. Use: z. B. Diabetic food

isomalt
A combination of sorbitol and mannitol. The sugar alternative is approved for low-calorie, sugar-free foods and z. B. found in chewing gum, chocolate and pastries. Attention: The amount that corresponds to the tolerance value can already be found in half a bar of diet chocolate.

lactitol
Already discovered in the 1920er years, he should contribute to the intestinal health. Lactitol has a pure, clean sweet taste.

Erythritol
This sugar alternative occurs naturally in foods such as fruit, rice wine, beer, cheese, etc. Erythritol can be used in numerous foods from sweets to dairy products, but also as a flavor enhancer, carrier, stabilizer, etc. and has almost no calories compared to other sugar alcohols.

maltitol
Of course it occurs in malt and chicory leaves, but it is also artificially produced and used like isomalt. Often found in sugar-free chocolate as it gives it a creamy texture.

mannitol
A similar compound as sorbitol, you will find it in pineapple, sweet potatoes, carrots, but also algae and mushrooms. Use: z. B. as cases for tablets or candies, mustard, jam, etc.

xylitol
This sugar alternative is also found in small quantities in the human body. It can be found in the bark of birch, beech, mushrooms or corn on the cob. It has no aftertaste and tastes just like sugar. The big advantage: It does not have a cariogenic effect and even helps with dental health, which is why it is often found in dental care products.

inositol
This sugar alcohol can even be produced by the human body. It is naturally present in meat, fruit, cereals, milk, etc. In addition, it should have radical scavenging properties and stabilize the cell membrane.

Natural sugar alternatives

agave nectar
He is extracted from the agave, a cactus species. Agave syrup has a slightly higher sweetness than sugar, but less calories and a nearly neutral taste.

Coconut blossom sugar (Gula Java)
This palm sugar is extracted from the palm "Cocos nucifera" and is considered one of the most sustainable sugar alternatives, because from the rest of the palm many other products can be obtained (coconut water, oil, milk). The sugar thus obtained has a creamy-sweet taste with a hint of caramel and, depending on the manufacturer, the 350 calories per 100 gram.

Honey
The sugar alternative consists of 40 percent each of grapes and fructose and 20 percent water. Honey has almost as many calories as table sugar. Traces of fat, protein, enzymes and vitamins can still be found. A medicinal effect has only been scientifically proven for very specific varieties.

Maple Syrup
This natural sugar substitute is obtained from the sugar maple tree. It is characterized by a fine caramel note, which tastes slightly nutty and has around 260 calories per 100 grams. The sugar alternative is less sweet than table sugar. Maple syrup spoils relatively quickly and should be stored in the refrigerator.

Natural sweeteners

Stevia
Most well-known of the sugar alternatives in this area: Stevia rebaudiana is in the EU after long back and forth since the end of 2011 approved as sweetener "E960". Stevia is not carogenic, has a positive effect on the blood sugar level, contains many antioxidants, is about 300 times as sweet as sugar and has no calories.

Luo han guo
Is the sweet fruit of the Chinese plant Siraitia grosvenorii. It is often referred to as Chinese Stevia and is used in Chinese medicine as a medicinal plant, 240 is sometimes as sweet as table sugar and contains virtually no calories (0,5 kcal / g).

Rubusoid
It is a sweetener made from the leaves of Chinese blackberry, about 200 times as sweet as conventional sugar and contains no calories. Rubusoid is very heat stable and does not affect the blood sugar level at all, but has a slightly bitter aftertaste.

thaumatin
Is won from the Katemfe shrub. This comes from the rainforest of West Africa. He is 2000 to 3000 times as sweet as sugar and has about 400 calories per 100 gram.

Written by Ursula Wastl

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