Stevia vs coconut sugar – Sugar is a simple carbohydrate that is used as a source of energy and is the primary commodity traded. Sugar, as a crystalline solid sucrose, is the most widely traded. Sugar is used to change the taste of food or drink to make it sweeter.
There are many kinds of sugar, two of them are stevia and coconut sugar. Stevia and coconut sugar are both promoted as healthier alternatives to cane sugar. This article will describe maple syrup vs coconut sugar. Which one is healthier?
What Makes Coconut Sugar Different with Stevia?
After recognizing of maple syrup vs coconut sugar, we should also know about stevia vs coconut sugar. Talking of two kind of sugars, we will find some difference between stevia and also coconut sugar.
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How it processed
Coconut sugar is derived from the coconut tree, whereas stevia is derived from the Stevia rebaudiana herb. Quite apart from that, the most notable distinction is that coconut sugar is an actual sugar, whereas stevia is not.
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Calories
Coconut sugar, as a sugar, is high in calories and can cause all of the health problems associated with regular refined sugar. It is structurally similar to refined sugar, with only minor differences in the proportions of fructose and glucose, as well as the existence of several nutrients.
Stevia, on the other hand, is a low-calorie food that does not cause type 2 diabetes or any of the other problems that too much sugar can cause. Coconut sugar does have some health benefits, primarily due to the presence of inulin. Inulin is a fiber that can slow the absorption of sugar in the body and prevent dramatic blood sugar spikes.
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Flavor
Another significant difference is flavor, as coconut sugar tastes very similar to unrefined sugar, whereas stevia is far sweeter than sugar. Some people find stevia to have a bitter aftertaste, which coconut sugar does not have. Coconut sugar has a glycemic index of 35, while stevia has a glycemic index of 0.
The glycemic index measures how foods affect blood sugar levels; the higher the number, the greater the effect. Stevia has a much lower effect, based on the scores of these two sweeteners. Both figures are somewhat debatable, so take them with a grain of salt.
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Sweetening power
Another way stevia differs from coconut sugar is in its sweetening power. Stevia is many times sweeter than coconut sugar, which is about the same sweetness as cane sugar. According to some estimates, it is 300 times sweeter than sugar, but the sweetness varies depending on which glycosides are used in the stevia extract.
What are Benefits of Stevia?
Stevia is gaining popularity as a calorie-free, plant-based alternative to sugar. Many people prefer it to artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and aspartame. Because it is extracted from plants rather than manufactured in a lab.
It also has few to no carbs and does not cause a rapid spike in blood sugar, making it popular among those with diabetes or poor blood sugar control. Nonetheless, it may have some disadvantages.
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Help to lose weight
Because it is calorie-free, it may aid in weight loss when used as a substitute for regular sugar, which contains about 45 calories per tablespoon (12 grams). Stevia may also help you feel full while eating fewer calories.
In a study of 31 adults, those who ate a 290-calorie stevia snack ate the same amount of food at the next meal as those who ate a 500-calorie sugar snack. They also reported similar levels of fullness, implying that the stevia group consumed fewer calories while experiencing the same level of satisfaction.
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Manage blood sugar
In a study of 12 adults, all who ate a coconut dessert produced with 50% stevia and 50% sugar had 16% lower blood sugar levels after eating than those who ate the same dessert made with 100% sugar.
Stevia has been shown in animal studies to improve insulin sensitivity, the hormone that lowers blood sugar by allowing it into cells to be used for energy.
Furthermore, animal studies have linked stevia consumption to lower triglyceride levels and higher HDL (good) cholesterol levels, both of which are associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
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Can prevent some types of cancers
There is some evidence that stevia may help fight or prevent certain types of cancer. According to a 2012 studyTrusted Source, a glycoside found in stevia plants called stevioside helps boost cancer cell death in a human breast cancer line. Stevioside may also aid in the reduction of some mitochondrial pathways that aid in the growth of cancer.
How to Use Stevia as a Sugar Substitute
Stevia can be substituted for table sugar in a variety of foods and beverages. A pinch of stevia powder is roughly equivalent to one teaspoon of table sugar. Stevia can be used in a variety of delicious ways, including:
- in coffee or tea
- in homemade lemonade
- sprinkled on hot or cold cereal
- in a smoothie
- sprinkled on unsweetened yogurt
Stevia also can be used in place of sugar in all situations. When baking with stevia, you can use half the amount of sugar you normally would. When replacing sugar in baked goods, the liquid and powder are best. However, in some cases, such as breads, sugar is required.
It appears to be most popular in beverages such as coffee and tea, where you can simply add a leaf to it. Furthermore, stevia can be added to oatmeal, iced or hot tea and coffee, lemonade, smoothies, fruit sauces, jams, and jellies, among other things. It also tastes great in homemade puddings, ice creams, frosting, and fruit desserts.
In your cooking, add a few drops to savory or tart sauces for an interesting flavor balance. It all depends on the type of dish you’re making with stevia. It works much better in food with bolder flavors, like cheeses, chocolate, coffee, berries, dressings, sauces, and more.
From those comparation, we can see that stevia is healthier than coconut sugar. The evidence are from the nutrition ingredients, health benefits, and other things that we should know first before consuming stevia or coconut sugar.
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