Three Whites that blacketh health - Part I: White Sugar

Despite a million warnings that we hear against white sugar, we still can’t rid ourselves of the habit of these white sweet crystals. Even the very organic brown sugar isn’t all that healthy and is hardly different from white sugar. And with such increasing demand for sugar, its supply is also increasing with an equivalent (or even greater) supply of various diseases like diabetes that are infecting the planet. So how do we substitute this sweetener to better our health? And with what? Hard questions indeed!

Before I suggest you healthy alternatives for white sugar, I want all my readers to be more convinced of the need for replacement in the first place. Here is a list of reasons which I hope, not only convinces but, rings alarm bells for all the white sugar consumers:

• ·         Declines growth hormone
• ·         Feeds cancer
• ·         Increases cholesterol
• ·         Weakens eyesight
• ·         Causes drowsiness in children
• ·         Slows absorption of protein
• ·         Causes food allergies
• ·         Contributes to diabetes
• ·         May contribute to eczema in children
• ·         May cause cardiovascular disease
• ·         May impair the structure of DNA
• ·         May cause hyperactivity, anxiety and crankiness in children
• ·         Reduces immunity against bacterial infection
• ·         Assists the uncontrolled growth of yeast infections
• ·         Contributes to osteoporosis

Now, we are ready and more receptive to an alternative. So here it is. We have two natural and healthy (literally) alternatives for sugar:

Stevia from the Asteraceae family: It is calorie-free, thus, does not affect production of insulin. It is 300 times sweeter than sugar and so only little amount is needed to replace sugar. Not many reports of toxicity with Stevia have been reported but the only thing bad about this otherwise all-good product is that it can taste slightly bitter in some recipes. But this bitterness can be done away with by adding the other natural sweetener along with it, Xylitol.

Xylitol: A very healthy substitute for white sugar with various benefits. It has a minimal impact on blood sugar and insulin levels. It has a glycemic index of 7 as against 60 of sucrose. It prevents yeast infections, plaque and dental cavities up to 80%. It slows demineralization and enhances re-mineralization of tooth enamel.

As Stevia might be bitter with some recipes, Xylitol can be a bit expensive. These two can be mixed in the ratio 1:12 (1 part of Stevia with 12 parts of Xylitol) and this mixture will make it sweet with any recipe and more affordable than only Xylitol.

Since the word is out on the benefits of Stevia and Xylitol, these are easily available in grocery stores, online and more. These miraculous substitutes will turn your cakes healthy and you guilt-free!