Five Best Sugar Substitutes | Dr. Josh Axe

Today I’m going to share my top five sugar replacements. Many people are over-consuming high fructose corn syrup and processed sugars, so I’m going to go over my top five sweeteners that you can easily replace them with. Although these sweeteners may benefit your health and are better than processed sugar, I would recommend consuming them in moderation.

1. Pure raw honey is great because it contains amino acids, electrolytes, antioxidants, and antimicrobial compounds, which can support your overall health. Honey also helps reduce allergy symptoms, is used as a natural medicine to help heal wounds, and is my most used natural sweetener.
2. Stevia. If you have blood sugar issues, are overweight, or have diabetes, then stevia may be the best sweetener for you. Stevia is a no calorie, all-natural sweetener that comes from a leaf of a flowering plant. Make sure you get the green leaf stevia.
3. Dates are great because they are high in fiber, potassium, minerals, and vitamins. The fiber in dates actually slows down sugar absorption in your body.
4. Coconut sugar. Organic, unrefined, coconut palm sugar is great for baking because it has the equal comparison of 1 cup to 1 cup of regular sugar in a lot of recipes. It’s full of potassium, electrolytes, nutrients, and has a lower glycemic index.
5. 100% organic, Grade B, maple syrup is another great sweetener to use in recipes.

The majority of regular sugar used is from GMO beets and corn, which is highly toxic to the body. Instead, try incorporating these five natural sugar substitutes to satisfy your sweet tooth while you’re taking your health to the next level.
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Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CNS, is a doctor of chiropractic, certified doctor of natural medicine and clinical nutritionist with a passion to help people eat healthy and live a healthy lifestyle.
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This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Josh Axe and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Axe nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program.

[rrfirefly]

Raw Honey (0:52) // Stevia (3:00) // Dates (4:49) // Coconut Palm Sugar (6:42) // 100% Organic Maple Syrup (8:06)

[purdate]

So great to see dates being recommended as a healthy sugar alternative! We actually make powdered sugar from dates that you can cook with.

[cjhunt]

Coconut Palm is the best alternative for baking, equal measurements to sugar. Easiest to substitute when baking!

[ritaslayden]

I live 19 miles west of Nashville; I love listening to you and Jordan!

[lessismore]

YES! Monk fruit is on here! Thankyou! I've been through so many non artificial sweeteners and finally found one I finally loved!

[a.scotth.]

Raw honey 1 tbs and apple cider 2 tsp with the mother mixed in water about 8oz! Every night! Just sip on it like a tea.

[danseabreeze]

My favorite is definitely Sweet Leaf brand Stevia. Maple syrup, honey, dates and coconut sugar I would DEFINITELY "go overboard" with. There's something about these insulin rising sweets that are target foods for me and if I have just a little then I want more and more until I wind up loosing control.

[maxstarn]

I’m glad you didn’t include agave syrup. So many people think it’s not too bad but it literally has the same amount of antioxidants as regular sugar and more fructose than even high fructose corn syrup

[salfisher]

I'm diabetic and I use stevia all the time I found out that's it's high in akline Wich is amazing so I always use it as a natural sweetener

[bori]

I agree with honey. I have been using pure honey as a face mask for 2 weeka now and if has faded my acne scars tremendously. I highly recommend it for scars.

[malautubevani]

Thank you very much for all your eye opening information. About natural sweets: What about Date Jaggery? It is called Khijur Gur in India. This comes from Dates.

[RogerBrown]

I've been looking for an alternative to sugar. I swore off all artificial sweeteners a while ago. This was a eye opener. Thanks

[SarcasmIsMySecondName]

Why hadn't I seen this awesome channel before? That's fantastic! I'm on my way to lose my weight and I find your videos sooo useful. Although I could give lectures myself on how to eat healthy and how to lose weight, practice is far more difficult task. Your videos raise awareness and motivate to give up bad habits and become healthier at the same time so wish me good luck! Thank you, Dr. Axe! All the best!

[travelchannel]

Yay coconut palm!! & dates great idea!

[Everythingfreshandsassy]

Honey, Stevia, dates and all the rest are still sugar. Instead it’s better to use sugar substitutes like spices, i.e. cardamom and coriander. These two sweeten and add flavor. Rose water and orange water also add sweetness and all that I mentioned add FLAVOR! I encourage people to look for flavor instead of sweet. Sugar/sweet is not a flavor. However the spices and waters that I mentioned add delicious and delightful flavor to everything you add them to. Also, almond and coconut extracts are also great sweeteners. All that I had mentioned are great sugar substitutes and they contain little to no calories, no fat and some contain great health and medicinal benefits. While the substitutes may not be the same as the sugars that you mentioned in terms of flavor, we really need to train our pallet not to look for or expect so much sweet, rather we should expect more in terms of flavor. All that I mentioned are great flavor enhancers, as well as add sweetness. I hope those that are really looking to replace sugar get to try some of these suggestions.

[Emsyaz]

Dates are one of favorite food of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. He even recommended us to eat them.

[jmb-cmmr]

I use Local Honey, Evaporated Cane Juice, Coconut Palm Sugar and Maple Syrup.

[americanpatriot]

I use coconut sugar. It tastes great! No aftertaste like stevia.

[cathyc]

thanks
I just bought the coconut sugar, and I love it in my coffee

[jamesnash]

Dates would be perfect to add to my smoothie to replace the sugar in the yogurt and that cane sugar that I add to my smoothie. Dates should satisfies my craving for sugar and then add fiber to my smoothies.
I'm going to have to try that tomorrow.