Sugar is particularly high in calories and carbs, this means it’s not the greatest if you’re trying to lose weight.
There are many artificial sweeteners out there, some well known, some not so well known.
Coffee goes really well with sugar, so today I will explain what the best artificial sweetener is for coffee.
Overall, stevia or stevia extract is the best sweetener for coffee.
The reason it is extracted from the leaves of the stevia rebaudiana plant and has zero calories and zero carbs.
Other artificial sweeteners are made using complex chemical processes, which make them much more artificial.
Natural sweeteners for coffee can be better than refined sugar because they aren’t as heavily processed but they typically contain the same or more calories and carbs.
Below, I will explain what the healthiest artificial sweeteners are, what the healthiest substitute for sugar is, and some of the best natural coffee substitutes.
What Is the Healthiest Sweetener for Coffee?
There are many artificial sweeteners that are added to food or sold on their own.
These can contain zero calories or fewer calories than natural sweeteners.
I wanted to know what the healthiest artificial sweetener is so I researched this question and here’s what it is.
Stevia is the healthiest artificial sweetener for coffee.
It’s made using natural sources but contains zero carbs and zero calories.
Other artificial sweeteners are made synthetically.
The science is inconclusive but generally, natural sourced artificial sweeteners are considered healthier.
The research is inconclusive about the negative effects of synthetically made artificial sweeteners, but some people prefer natural products.
Natural sweeteners such as honey and agave syrup are good but do change the taste of the coffee.
Alternative sweeteners come in a range of different types.
And there are now many artificial sugar substitutes to choose from:
- Xylitol
- Erythritol
- Sorbitol
- Maltitol
- Mannitol
- Isomalt
- Lactitol
These are called sugar alcohols and are low-calorie sweeteners.
On top of that, there are sweeteners such as high-fructose corn syrup, and brand names like Sweet n low.
The best sweeteners are those that are natural and also low calorie and low carb.
This makes them a better choice because you can be more flexible with the other foods you eat.
For example, if you don’t consume as many carbs and sugar with your coffee you can eat and drink more of it in other foods you eat during the day.
Sweet foods like candy, sodas, and chocolate either contain refined sugar or artificial sweeteners.
Food labels will state how many calories and how many carbs a sweetener contains.
Diet soda for example contains artificial sweeteners such as aspartame.
Too much sugar is known to give you a high amount of calories and can lead to health problems such as reducing your body’s ability to produce insulin which leads to type 2 diabetes.
And as a knock-on effect can increase blood pressure according to the medical professionals at the American Heart Association (source).
But, in small amounts – under about 9 teaspoons – sugar is perfectly fine.
There is also what is called high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), which is sugar made from corn and then turned into syrup.
But, unlike how sugar is made there are various chemical processes used to extract the fructose from the corn.
A dark roast of coffee is as strong as it is good.
But, coffee, in general, is quite bitter and a bit of sweetness can really make it taste amazing.
However, if you’re like me you might prefer unsweetened coffee and the health benefits that go with consuming less sugar.
White sugar, also called table sugar, is a refined form of brown sugar that is made from sugar cane, or sugar beets.
Various oils can be added to coffee such as MCT oil, and coconut oil.
These can add a bit of sweetness but also make coffee less bitter.
It’s a common practice when following a paleo/keto diet which limits the number of carbs and sugar.
Dairy products such as full cream can also slightly sweeten coffee and contain zero carbs.
I explained the different things that are best to add to keto coffee in this article about different keto coffee recipes.
Risks of consuming too much sugar and artificial sweeteners
Too much fructose is known to be a health risk according to Harvard Medical School.
High levels of fructose are limited by regulations in the United States, and other English-speaking countries so that artificially sweetened foods don’t have the potential to cause health problems such as heart disease, bladder cancer, and digestive problems.
Black coffee has a bitter aftertaste that is quite pleasant but can be a lot nicer by using popular sweeteners such as sugar.
However, sugar can cause blood sugar spikes that can leave you feeling lethargic or slightly irritated after about an hour or so.
There are a few types of sugar such as cane sugar, raw sugar, and brown sugar.
These differ based on how processed they are.
For example, brown sugar isn’t refined as many times as white sugar.
As you may know, real sugar is made by dehydrating juice that is extracted from sugar beets or sugar cane.
A cup of coffee generally tastes slightly bitter and a bit of sweetener can taste a lot better.
The food and drug administration (FDA) has put limits on the number of artificial sweeteners that are used as food additives.
What Is the best sugar substitute for coffee?
Sugar is high in calories and carbs, but the good news is there are many substitutes for sugar that are healthier but still sweeten foods and drinks the same way that sugar does.
But, not all sugar substitutes are created equal, here’s what sugar substitute is the healthiest.
Stevia is the healthiest substitute for sugar. It contains zero calories and zero carbs.
Other sugar substitutes such as honey can be OK but they contain high amounts of carbs and calories.
So, you need to monitor the other foods you consume to keep your calorie and carb intake at healthy levels.
There are a few other zero-calorie sweeteners but some concerns have been raised about how healthy they are.
And as yet the science is not conclusive.
The good news is that stevia is 100% natural. It’s made using the juice of the leaves of the stevia plant.
This makes it far better for keeping blood sugar levels even.
Here’s a video that shows how stevia is made:
A high amount of calories and carbs can lead to weight gain.
Consuming sugar can lead to tooth decay, especially if you skip brushing your teeth in the evening after consuming it during the day.
But, if you’re like me you have a real sweet tooth.
Regular sugar and brown sugar are common types of sweeteners found at coffee shops.
But, adding them to your cup of joe can be bad for weight loss. Sugar is derived from natural sources.
The sweet taste that triggers the reward centers in your brain though does come at the cost of increasing your daily calorie intake for the day.
So, you do need to be careful and monitor how much of it you consume.
Therefore, other types of sweeteners that are lower in calories can be a good idea.
If you drink a lot of coffee more than likely you’ve spilled a bit of coffee here and there.
Once coffee gets on the carpet it can be difficult to get out completely just cleaning in the normal way.
I covered exactly how to clean coffee completely in this article how to clean coffee out of carpet.
What are the Best healthy sweeteners for coffee?
Sugar is good in various types of foods and drinks (sugar alcohols), and therefore, if you have a bit of a sweet tooth, it’s good to look into some good options that will reduce your sugar intake.
Here’s the best sugar alternative to sugar in coffee.
The best alternative to sugar in coffee is stevia.
It is the same sweetness as sugar but contains zero carbs and zero calories. It is the best coffee sweetener for weight loss.
It’s also made from the leaves of the stevia plant and is completely natural rather than being made with complex chemical processes.
The best sugar alternative does depend on your personal taste preference.
For example, cinnamon can add a natural sweetness to coffee but also adds a bit of spice.
Blackstrap molasses can also be good but is a bit of an acquired taste.
Unsweetened cocoa powder adds a chocolatey flavor to coffee that can reduce how bitter it is.
But, in general, you need to add a small amount of sweetener.
All of these make great natural sugar alternatives and are also healthier alternatives.
Sugar alternatives for coffee
Whether you prefer a cup of coffee, hot coffee, iced coffee, or both at different times there is a range of ways to sweeten them that don’t contain as many calories.
A good idea can be to use a natural sugar substitute (healthier option), especially, if you’re concerned about the health effects of artificial foods.
So, here are some natural sugar or Raw sugar substitutes that can be used in coffee.
Pure maple syrup, agave nectar, coconut sugar, stevia, and monk fruit extract are natural substitutes that can be used in coffee.
They are all as sweet as sugar and some have a unique flavor derived from the source plant that alters the flavor of the coffee.
Monk fruit extract has the added benefit of having antioxidant properties, which are good for your overall health.
But, it’s still important to keep the amount of sugar you use reasonably low.
Agave nectar and raw honey are good choices because both honey and agave nectar are completely natural.
Agave is believed to be native to South America and looks similar in appearance to a pineapple plant.
These natural products are some of the best coffee sweeteners because they have a low glycemic index which is good for reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Consuming foods that have a lower glycemic index is generally recommended for certain health conditions such as heart disease.
I’m the owner and blogger here at SodaPopCraft.Com. I’m a soft drinks enthusiast and I’m bringing you all I know and research from the world of Soda Pop & Kombucha soft drinks.
I hope it inspires you to make your own healthier fizzy drinks at home.
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