The Sweet Debate: Is Silan Healthier Than Sugar?

Is silan a better option than sugar, and is it truly healthy? Dr. Maya Rosman addressed these questions on her radio show on 103FM.

To start, the nutritionist points out the following facts:

"Although sugar has no nutritional value whatsoever, it is derived from sugar beets or sugar cane. There's nothing nutritious left in it, and it only contributes to obesity and diseases," she noted, adding that a teaspoon of sugar contains 20 calories.

"Silan is made by cooking dates (date honey) and contains minerals and antioxidants, but its glycemic index is also high, and it's not recommended for diabetes just like white sugar. A teaspoon of silan contains more calories than a teaspoon of sugar, about 30 calories.

If we use one teaspoon of silan, there are so few minerals and antioxidants that it doesn't count as a significant source of vitamins in the diet—to achieve that, you need to eat fruits and vegetables."

Can Silan Make Foods Healthier?

The answer is no. According to her: "If you sprinkle half a teaspoon of sugar, powdered sugar, or drizzle half a teaspoon of silan on a pancake—there's no difference. Silan doesn't make the pancake healthier.

Even in cookies and cakes when silan is used instead of sugar, although a large amount is used, it's divided among the entire batch, so ultimately, the quantity is small, and the difference is not significant."

"The bottom line is that silan is healthier, but it's also not recommended for diabetes. In the amount of one teaspoon, there's no significant difference between it and sugar. There's no type of sugar that can be called healthy," she concluded.

 See more on the topic:

Breaking Myths: The Truth About 'No Added Sugar'

You'd Be Surprised: Brown Sugar or White Sugar – Which is Better?