Is Substituting Honey for Sugar Healthier?
Discover 3 Reasons Why It Makes Sense to Replace Honey for Sugar
Let’s face it, both honey and sugar add that much-needed sweetness to your next refreshing glass of iced tea. However, that’s where the comparison ends.
That’s because local honey Florida simply offers many more benefits than sugar as a healthier way to sweeten your beverages. In fact, if they were prizefighters in the ring, honey would be declared the undisputed champion over sugar for a myriad of reasons.
Therefore, the next time you reach for a sweetener, make sure to choose raw honey over white sugar. Your body will thank you!
Why is substituting honey for sugar healthier? Here are 3 excellent reasons why it makes much more sense to replace honey for sugar as a sweetener:
1. Honey is Sweeter than Sugar, So You Use Less
Although honey is marginally higher in calories than sugar (64 calories per tablespoon vs. 49 calories per tablespoon), it is sweeter than its nutritionally bereft counterpart. That’s because honey contains slightly more fructose than glucose. So you can use a much smaller amount of honey and save calories without sacrificing sweetness.
That’s why honey is such a great substitute for white sugar in recipes. Since it’s sweeter, you can use ⅔ to ¾ of a cup of honey to replace one cup of sugar in most cases.
2. Honey Contains More Vitamins and Minerals than Sugar
A natural source of vitamins and minerals, honey contains antioxidants that give it anti-inflammatory properties and other added health benefits. Honey also offers beneficial nutrients such as calcium, iron, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, riboflavin, and vitamins B12 and C, among others.
In order to maximize the health benefits of honey, your best bet is to consume local, raw honey. According to CNBC, “Raw honey comes straight from the beehive and isn’t pasteurized. Because it doesn’t go through pasteurization, the beneficial compounds in honey are preserved in the final product.” That’s why honey has long been known to offer healing elements such as soothing sore throats and minor burns.
In contrast, sugar offers no significant vitamins or minerals because of the extensive processing it goes through. According to Medical News Today, “Sugar is an empty calorie. Adding it to foods and drinks significantly increases their calorie content without adding any nutritional benefit.”
3. Honey Offers Fewer Health Risks than Sugar
The moderate use of honey poses few health risks (aside from rare allergies). In contrast, the consumption of sugar has been linked to such health concerns as high blood pressure, weight gain, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and liver disease, among others.
American adults consume an astounding average of 77 grams of sugar per day, according to the American Heart Association (AHA), which states, “Added sugars contribute zero nutrients but many added calories that can lead to extra pounds or even obesity. That can reduce heart health.” In addition, since sugar is higher on the glycemic index than honey, it can spike blood sugar levels quickly.
Remember that any type of sweetener can have negative effects when used excessively. That’s why all added sweeteners should be used in moderation. If you have a chronic health condition such as diabetes or heart disease, consult with your physician about your specific dietary needs.
Choose 100% Raw Honey from A Spoon Full of Health
At A Spoon Full of Health, our delicious honey products make for the ideal gifts that give back! Our 100% raw, unfiltered honey is sourced directly from Central Florida farmers.
In addition, 100% of the proceeds of our product line support students in the Culinary Training Program. Browse through our wide selection of local honey Florida products today!
