New Medical Awareness

HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES TO REFINED SUGAR and ARTIFICAL SWEETENERS

Xylitol

Xylitol is a 100% natural sugar and IS MY (the administrator of New Medical Awareness's page) FIRST CHOICE, for it is not just healthy and cuts your craving for sweets but also successfully fights cavaties and keeps your teeth healthy! My dentist was amazed how good and white my teeth have become.( Between us, I am using fluoride-free toothpaste for the last 15 years and havent't had a dental cleaning in a long time...there is just no need since I am using Xylitol!) I use Xylitol like a household sugar for baking etc. and alsokeep half a teaspoon in my mouth after I brushed my teeth..... So what exactly is this natural sugar:
Xylitol is found widely in nature. In addition to a variety of fruits and vegetables, Xylitol is also commonly extracted from birch bark.It also occurs naturally in our bodies – in fact, an average size adult manufactures up to 15 grams of xylitol daily during normal metabolism. Pure xylitol is a white crystalline substance that looks and tastes like sugar.Xylitol has been used as a sweetener in foods since the 1960's.

Xylitol is only slowly absorbed and partially utilized; therefore a reduced calorie claim is allowed: 2.4 calories per gram or 40% less than other carbohydrates. In addition, the body does not require insulin to metabolize xylitol, which has made it a widely used sweetener for the diabetic diet in some countries. In the U.S., xylitol is approved as a food additive in unlimited quantity for foods with special dietary purposes.

Xylitol is widely recognized as a cavity fighter.

Over 25 years of testing in widely different conditions confirm that xylitol use reduces tooth decay rates both in high-risk groups (high caries prevalence, poor nutrition, and poor oral hygiene) and in low-risk groups (low caries incidence using all current prevention recommendations). Sugarfree chewing gums and candies made with xylitol as the principal sweetener have already received official endorsements from six national dental associations.

Xylitol has also been shown to provide nasal relief.

The addition of precise amounts of xylitol to saline nasal spray has been shown to make it more effective in moisturizing and clearing the nasal passages. Xylitol helps prevent bacteria from adhering and helps the body’s natural cleansing processes to clear away these harmful bacteria, reducing the risk of infection. In addition, research has shown other medical benefits of xylitol due to its effect on many types of bacteria!
http://www.xylitol.org/

Coconut Sugar

The raw coco sugar granules is dark brown in color like the moscuvado sugar from cane. It tastes like an ordinary cane sugar but with a difference, it smells like burnt coconut meat.

The sugar particles look rough, but felt soft in one’s hand, easily melted in the mouth and tasted only slightly sweet.

For the health conscious consumers and diabetics, it can be considered to be the best sweetener substitute once it is available in the market because of the many benefits that it has to offer
http://www.coconutsugarphilippines.com/coconutsugarhealthinfo.php

Date Sugar

Date sugar is 100% dehydrated dates ground into small pieces. It is a whole food, high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Date sugar can be substituted for granulated sugar or brown sugar cup for cup, but it does not dissolve in liquids. Most alternative health practitionars consider Date Sugar to be a healthy sugar alternative. We did not include it in the chart because we could not find its glycemic index.


Raw Honey

Many alternative health experts consider raw honey a superfood. Raw, unprocessed honey is packed with antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, carbohydrates and phytonutrients. However, processed honey is stripped of these nutrients and no better than white table sugar, so be sure to read labels when shopping for honey. Some types of honey, such as red clover honey or orange blossom honey, have a lower glycemic index. That is, they dissolve more slowly into the bloodstream and have less effect on blood sugar levels.

Agave Nectar

Sweeter than honey, agave nectar is a combination of fructose and glucose sugars. This syrup is obtained by extracting and purifying the sap of the blue agave plant. The syrup from this native Mexican plant blends quickly and is popular in both hot and cold drinks. In addition, agave nectar has a low glycemic index, so it does not have much effect on blood sugar levels. Make sure you always buy organic agave nectar!
http://www.allaboutagave.com/


Brown Rice Syrup

While far less refined than table sugar, this sweetener is approximately 45% maltose, a type of sugar with a high glycemic index value. Foods high on the glycemic index tend to cause spikes in blood sugar. If you have diabetes, be sure to read the nutrition label and if this ingredient is listed, consume the product in moderation or avoid it altogether.

Evaporated Cane Juice

This healthy alternative to white table sugar does not undergo the same degree of processing that refined sugar does, so it retains more of the nutrients found in sugar cane. When consumed in moderation, evaporated cane juice is a natural source of sweetness that can be a part of a healthy diet. This natural sugar substitute can be used just like sugar for sweetening foods and beverages, which is why you may find it in a host of processed foods. If you’re reading nutrition labels, you may also see it listed by other names including dried cane juice, crystallized cane juice or milled cane sugar.