WHICH IS HEALTHY - SUGAR, SWEETENERS OR HONEY?

A spoon of white sugar 

Excessive sugar intake can do more harm than good. It can lead to Type 2 diabetes, premature aging, obesity, tooth decay, acne, pile, fatty liver and a host of inflammatory and chronic diseases such as arthritis and heart disease. In fact, recent studies argue that sugar and foods that are broken down into sugar, like the refined carbohydrates, to be the major cause of inflammation in the body. 

Several packs of sweeteners 

Sweeteners are non-calorie substances that can be used instead of sugar to sweeten foods and drinks.  They are found in beverages especially diet drinks, desserts, cakes, chewing gums and toothpastes. Sweeteners that are derived from plants are the natural ones, while artificial sweeteners are made from chemical substances. 

Artificial sweeteners include Aspertame, Acebulfame K, Sucralose and Saccharin. Some pharmaceutical companies add Aspertame to their vitamin C tablets to sweeten it.

Artificial sweeteners, though low in calories and marketed as a healthier substitute to sugar, have been linked to various health conditions which affects the organs and the body's metabolism.  Several research findings have linked artificial sweeteners such as Aspertame to increased unhealthy cravings, thereby increasing the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and Alzheimer's disease. 

Recent research also suggest that Saccharin and Sucralose sweetened drinks may significantly affect a woman's chances of conception and the quality and fertility of her eggs. So it would be a wise health decision to stay clear from foods sweetened by these artificial sweeteners. Go through food labels to actively eliminate them from your diet. 

Natural sweeteners such as stevia, xylitol and erythritol are healthier sugar substitutes. Some popular brands use xylitol to sweeten their chewing gums because it is good for the teeth. A number of studies show it reduces tooth decay and cavities. But, of course, use in moderation.

Honey 

Probably the best natural substitute to sugar remains pure honey. Go for pure, natural and organic honey. Though all the honey brands sold in the country claim to be 100% pure, only a few actually are. Most are heavily processed and diluted. Even the brands sold in supermarkets cannot guarantee  originality. 

Pure honey has medicinal, therapeutic and antiseptic benefits. The darker the honey, the richer it is in natural antioxidants, so go for the dark-brown honey and not the light-brown ones. Note that too much of the good thing, might also be harmful, so use it sparingly. Honey should not be given to children below three years of age.