The best sugar substitutes for people with diabetes

For people with diabetes, the most important measure but also the most difficult to implement is to limit the amount of sugar consumed in the body every day. Sugar cravings are feelings that make diabetics feel uncomfortable all the time. There are actually some common sugar substitutes that even work well in controlling diabetes.

Artificial sweeteners or food additives are one of the commonly used sugar substitutes in people with diabetes. With low sugar, very few calories, artificial sweeteners seem like a therapeutic solution for people with diabetes. However, recent studies indicate that artificial sweeteners can also backfire and that increased consumption of these artificial sweeteners can increase obesity and diabetes.
Fortunately, there are still all-natural sugar substitutes that give the desired effect. Includes:
Stevia Simple sugar - Tagatose Monk fruit extract - Monk fruit extract Coconut sugar - Coconut palm sugar Date sugar Sugar alcohols, such as erythritol or xylitol

Stevia is a type of sugar extracted from the stevia plant. Stevia is a low-calorie sweetener with antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. It has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Unlike artificial sweeteners or regular sugar, stevia can inhibit plasma glucose and significantly increase glucose tolerance in the body. It is also not an artificial sweetener because it is made from the leaves of the stevia plant.
In addition stevia works
Increases insulin production Increases insulin action on cell membranes Stabilizes blood sugar Fights the mechanisms of type 2 diabetes and its complications Currently on the market have these stevia sugar products. However, these products have also undergone an industrial process and may contain other ingredients. A stevia product on the market can go through 40 steps of processing before it's ready to hit store shelves, and it also contains added erythritol. The best way to use stevia naturally is to grow your own and use the whole leaf to sweeten foods.

Tagatose is another natural sugar studied by scientists. It is also known as a functional sweetener. Tagatose is found in dairy products and is similar in structure to table sugar. Although they are 92% sweet, they only provide 38% more than regular table sugar. Therefore, it is considered as a low-calorie food additive. Besides that it has other benefits in the treatment of diseases:
May be an antidiabetic and anti-obesity drug May reduce blood sugar and insulin response Interferes with carbohydrate absorption Some studies Research in 2018 has shown that tagatose is expected to be a sugar substitute without any adverse health effects. However, more research needs to be conducted to bring this sugar to wide use in practice.

Sugar alcohols are found naturally in plants and berries. Sugar alcohols are commonly used in the food industry or in alcohol products. They can still raise your blood sugar, but not as much as regular sugar.
The difference between sugar alcohols and artificial sweeteners:
Sugar alcohols are usually synthetic sugars, similar to artificial sweeteners. However, they have other characteristics:
Can be metabolized without insulin Less sweet than artificial sweeteners and regular sugar Can be partially digested in the gut Research has shown that sugar alcohols can used as a sugar substitute. However, you should still limit your daily sugar intake as they also produce side effects such as bloating and abdominal discomfort.

Monk fruit extract and coconut sugar are popular alternatives. However, no processed sweetener can be better and safer than using whole fresh fruit to sweeten foods.
Another great option is date sugar, which is extracted entirely from dried and ground dates. Date sugars don't provide any fewer calories than regular sugar, but they're made from the whole fruit with the fiber still intact.

Some artificial sweeteners are advertised as being completely sugar-free and diabetes-friendly, but research shows these products actually have the opposite effect. Your body reacts to artificial sweeteners differently than regular sugar. Artificial sugar can interfere with your body. It can confuse your brain by sending you signals to eat more, especially when it directs you to eat more sweet foods.
A 2016 study found that people who are normal weight and eat a lot of artificial sweeteners are more likely to develop diabetes than people who are overweight or obese.
Another 2014 study found that these sugars can change the composition of your gut bacteria leading to glucose intolerance. This is the first step towards metabolic syndrome and diabetes in adults.
For people who don't have glucose intolerance, artificial sweeteners can help with weight loss or control diabetes. But if you want to completely switch to using this type of sugar, you still need to pay attention to controlling the amount of sugar you put into your body every day.

Obesity and being overweight are among the leading predictors for diabetes. Although artificial sweeteners are FDA-approved, that doesn't mean they're completely healthy. That's because of artificial sweeteners:
Can lead to cravings, high sugar intake and weight gain. Changing gut bacteria, which is very important for weight control For people with diabetes, those who want to control their weight or want to control their sugar intake, Artificial sweeteners may not be a good sugar substitute.

Recent studies indicate that artificial sweeteners are no longer a healthy alternative to sugar. In fact, they can increase your risk of diabetes, glucose intolerance, and weight gain.
If you are looking for a best alternative, try stevia. Based on the research to date, this alternative sweetener is one of the better choices than the rest. It is known for its anti-diabetic properties and ability to stabilize blood sugar. You can get stevia raw, grow your own, or buy it from reputable brands.

Studies have shown that you often crave substances that you eat a lot. Limiting all sugar-related substances will have various benefits for your overall health.
At Vinmec International General Hospital, we always deploy a screening package for diabetes and dyslipidemia to help detect pre-diabetes early, accurately classify diabetes type, develop a nutritional regimen, monitoring to minimize the risk and complications caused by diabetes.
If customers notice unusual problems, they should visit and consult with specialists.
Reference source: healthline.com