Natural Sweeteners Are Not All the Same, Choose Wisely
If you are currently on a diet for weight loss or due to a medical condition, you may be kicking around the idea of using natural sweeteners instead of sugar. This subject can be confusing when you do not have the information you need to make the decision that is right for you. The following should help you learn just a little about the difference between natural sweeteners so you can figure out which one or ones that fit into your lifestyle.
* Sugar: Has a Glycemic Index of 60 and 4 calories per gram
* Xylitol: Has a Glycemic Index of 13 and 2 and a half calories per gram
* Sorbitol: Has a Glycemic Index of 9 and 2 and a half calories per gram
* Isomalt: Has a Glycemic Index of 8 and 2.1 calories per gram
* Maltitol Syrup: Has a Glycemic Index of 52 and 3 calories per gram
* Lactitol: Has a Glycemic Index of 6 and 3 calories per gram
* Erythritol: Has a Glycemic Index of 0 and .2 calories per gram
Some of these natural sweeteners can cause more digestive problems. Also some, as you can see have a higher Glycemic Index than the others as well as carbohydrates (not included in the list). The only one that does not cause digestive problems is Erythritol. Erythritol, like Xylitol will not cause tooth decay, but Xylitol can cause digestive issues for some. The reason Erythritol does not affect digestion like the others is that it is partially absorbed by the small intestine and is excreted via the bladder (approximately 60-90%). This makes it a more suitable solution for those with current digestive problems.
Found naturally in many fruits and vegetables like pears, melons, potatoes and grapes, Erythritol is abundantly available. Erythritol has many of the desired qualities of sugar and is widely used as a replacement of sugar to sweeten drinks and add flavor to cooking recipes. It is approximately 70% as sweet as sugar but much better for the teeth and body. Diabetics appreciate the fact that Erythritol does not spike the blood sugar levels and makes managing their diabetes easier. There is plenty of information regarding all the different natural sweeteners online and you would do well to read through some portion of it before making the switch.