Who Doesn’t Love a Little Extra Sugar?

Cookies, cakes, ice cream, and other delicious treats contain loads of sugar.

But too much of a good thing isn’t always a good thing.

In fact, evidence suggests that those who follow diets high in sugar are more likely to develop obesity issues at some point. Not only that, but not watching your sugar intake can also harm your metabolism, leading to an increased fat storage.

Sugar also interferes with the hormones that regulate hunger, leading to increased calorie intake and eventually more weight gain. It causes dopamine to be released in the pleasure center of the brain, which is the same response activated by addictive drugs. 

Of course, sugar is not the same as drugs. But these same properties can lead to cravings and drive overeating, especially when stressed or feeling anxious. And the thing is, you can find sugar in most desserts. So what are you to do if you want a delicious treat without the issues?

Luckily, not all sugars were created equally, and these 3 sugars found in nature are actually pretty healthy!

1. Monk Fruit

This up-and-coming sugar substitute is extracted from the monk fruit, a small, round fruit grown in the middle of Southeast Asia.

The compounds that give ripe monk fruit its sweetness are called mogrosides, which consist of a backbone structure called a mogrol with glucose units or glycosides attached to it. 

During processing, mogrosides are separated from the fresh-pressed juice, removing the calorie-dense sugars, fructose and glucose, from the monk fruit sugar substitute.

Monk fruit sugar substitute ends up being 150-200 times sweeter than table sugar (sucrose) and lacks calories. As with all no-calorie and low-calorie sweets, only a tiny amount of monk fruit sugar substitutes is required to give your treat the taste you’re craving.

Although monk fruit sugar substitute is often mixed with other sugar substitutes (be sure to read the label before deciding what to buy or eat), studies have shown that monk fruit minimally influences daily calorie intake, blood sugar levels, and insulin levels compared to sucrose sugar substitute.

2. Erythritol

Erythritol is a sugar substitute that has only about 6% of the calories of ordinary table sugar, so it’s often used as a low-calorie sugar substitute. 

It also doesn’t spike blood sugar levels, and studies have shown it can help reduce the risk of heart disease. 

It also tastes almost like household sugar, making it a natural switch for any dessert.

Your body does not have the enzymes to break down most of the erythritol, so the majority of it is absorbed directly into your bloodstream and excreted in your urine.

In addition, erythritol does not increase blood sugar, insulin, cholesterol, or triglyceride levels.

Nevertheless, the latest research deems erythritol a delicious sugar substitute for consumption!

3. Inulin

Inulin is a prebiotic that helps your body grow beneficial bacteria. It is found in a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs. 

Southeast Edibles’ uses inulin in our products because it helps promote weight loss and helps fight against diabetes. 

Inulin is a natural sugar found in thousands of plants, many of which we know well, such as leeks, onions, asparagus, and bananas. 

The human body cannot digest inulin, so it goes to the large intestine where it acts as a prebiotic, also known as food for intestinal bacteria. 

Gut bacteria need to eat to thrive, and inulin can actually help multiply beneficial bacteria for the body!

Nourishing beneficial bacteria is a way to promote a healthy balance between good and bad bacteria for a difference that you can feel.

These natural sugar replacements, monk fruit, erythritol, and inulin, are healthy alternatives, meaning they should be used instead of refined sugar.

When it comes to wellness, Southeast Edibles is always ahead of the curve!

Our CBD Infused and Functional chocolates support your health and wellness with vegan, kosher, and dairy-free chocolates.

These tasty treats are not only delicious, but they also offer a range of health benefits!

Creating chocolate that nourishes your mind, body, and soul is our passion. We provide chocolate that features all-natural health properties and CBD to enhance the quality of your life.

ORDER NOW our new sugar-free CBD Infused Chocolate Bites or Functional Ingredients.