The Sugar Glycemic Index and Other Healthy Alternatives

Admit it or not, we find it hard to live without sugar or any sweetener for our foods. Our body produces its own sugar, which is known as glucose. Aside from that, there are other sources that we can obtain sugar from and these sources might not always be healthy based choices. In the sugar glycemic index, you will see a listing of various types of sugar alternatives and their index score. This will help you know why some alternatives are healthy and why some are not. The sugar glycemic index is very helpful to those who are suffering from diabetes but also those who want to lose weight and maintain a normal weight. The different types of sugars and its resources are as follows:

Glucose - simple sugar made by the body through digestion of carbohydrates. Serves as the body's main source of energy.
Sucrose - commonly referred to as table sugar which is made by processing sugar cane or sugar beets and is devoid of any nutrients in its pure form.
Fructose - commonly known as fruit sugar usually found in honey, tree fruits, melons and berries.
High fructose corn syrup - made from starches such as wheat, corn and rice.
Maltose - or malt sugar produced from wheat, barley, rice and/or other grains.
Lactose - sugar which is naturally found in milk
Date sugar - comes from dehydrated dates which are grounded into small pieces.

In the sugar glycemic index, the amount of glucose released by a particular food is measured based on a two - three hour period. Foods that rapidly releases glucose, rate high on the sugar glycemic index and foods that slowly release glucose are ranked low on the sugar glycemic index. This means mixing high and low rating foods can result in a moderate glucose release. The sugar glycemic index alone cannot give you all the necessary information to determine a food's effect on your blood sugar as it can only tell you how quickly the carbohydrates in a food should turn into sugar within the body. That is why it is essential to remember that the sugar glycemic index is just a comparative scale as it only compares one food's blood glucose response to another.

Checking the sugar glycemic index, you will notice that an artificial sweetener has no GI value due to the fact that it was never a healthy sugar alternative. Other sugar alternatives that have low GI include the following:

Stevia - considered as the best healthy sugar alternative
Agave nectar - sweet syrup obtained from the blue agave plant
Fructose - although considered to have low GI, consumption should be limited as this is linked to heart disease and is devoid of nutrition.
Brown rice syrup - although it has low GI, this is not recommended for individuals with diabetes because its sweetness comes from maltose which can cause spikes in blood sugar
Raw honey - considered a healthy sugar alternative when consumed in moderation.
Apple juice - opt for fresh apple juice as concentrated apple juices are closer to refined sugar.
Barley malt syrup - considered to be one of the healthiest sweeteners in the natural food industry.
Amasake - great alternative to refined table sugar.

It is essential for you to remember that before referring to the sugar glycemic index and changing into a low sugar diet, you should consult your doctor for any recommendations to avoid risking your health or complicating other underlying health conditions

1. Prev:Trim Belly Fat: 5 Suggestions On How To Decrease Stomach Fat, Without Delay!
2. Next:How Does The Every Other Day Diet Work?