Coconut Sugar: A Sweet Alternative?

All sugar is unhealthy and not recommended. It contains no vitamins or minerals, just calories, and doesn’t contribute to health in any way. Sugar is empty energy and the primary cause of many illnesses we know today.

Many of us are trying to find healthier sweeteners that can serve as alternatives to white sugar.

Some think brown sugar is better, but brown sugar, like white, leads to weight gain, tooth decay, and all the same issues as white sugar. There is no difference between them apart from a minuscule amount of vitamins and minerals left in brown sugar because it has not undergone the final refining process like white sugar.

Coconut sugar is derived from the sap extracted from coconut tree flowers. The filtered sap is heated until the fluids evaporate, forming a syrup which is dried into sugar. It doesn’t go through harmful chemical whitening processes, making coconut sugar considered less harmful.

Coconut sugar has a mild caramel flavor.

Coconut sugar contains a small amount of magnesium and potassium. Its glycemic index is slightly lower than white sugar, being around 35 compared to the 60 of brown or white sugar. It contains a substance called "inulin" which moderates blood sugar spikes, so it can be enjoyed in small amounts, causing less harm than white or brown sugar. However, diabetics should be cautious with all carbohydrates, including coconut sugar, despite its lower glycemic index.

Artificial sweeteners of all kinds disrupt taste buds due to their high sweetness levels. Coconut sugar has a neutral acidity, unlike most sweeteners, which are acidic and cause damage to the digestive system, especially the intestines. For those who can, it’s better to use coconut sugar instead of harmful sugar substitutes.

Choosing coconut sugar over white and brown sugar is better. It’s preferable for baking cakes and sweets that will be less processed and contain fewer chemicals. But it is important to monitor quantities and consume coconut sugar in moderation, as it is still a sweet carbohydrate that can be harmful. Use it wisely.