Sugar is the most common sweetener out there, but too much sugar can be harmful to both physical and mental health, particularly the processed white sugar that is found in the vast majority of sweet products. 1 Many people are looking for other, more natural options to satisfy their sweet tooth.
The following table provides a brief overview of popular natural sweeteners, where they come from, and their positive and negative attributes. All of these sweeteners can be used in place of sugar to sweeten drinks, dessert recipes, and more.
If you are interested in natural sweeteners but are unsure which to choose or how to integrate them into your diet, speak to a naturopathic doctor. They will help you come up with a health plan that reduces sugar and fits with your individual lifestyle and dietary needs.
Natural Sweeteners Guide
| | Where Does it Come From? | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
Erythritol | A sugar alcohol that naturally occurs in fruits. |
|
|
Xylitol | Naturally occurring sugar alcohol found in plants |
|
|
Monk Fruit Extract | Extract taken from the sweetest part of the monk fruit |
|
|
Honey | Naturally produced by bees |
|
|
Stevia | Extract from the plant Stevia rebaudiana |
|
