“Sugar is not good for the stomach, it causes fermentation and this clouds the brain and bring peevishness into the disposition”
Manuscript 93, 1902 (CD 327.1)
As a nurse practitioner, my patients always ask if honey is good for you or one of the other sweeteners such as xylitol, agave nectar, sugar, stevia, monk fruit, maple syrup, molasses, date sugar, cane sugar and more. In this article I will review honey vs. date sugar vs. molasses and discuss which sugar source should be the ultimate choice.
Honey comes in many forms and flavors. Raw or processed, in the honeycomb, crystallized, liquid or whipped. Ranging from a light, golden yellow to a deep, rich brown, with flavors from subtle to bold. There are more than 300 varieties of honey including alfalfa, wildflower, orange blossom, and eucalyptus.
Honey is one of the only foods that, when stored properly, cannot spoil. Amazing! Archaeologists working in Egypt uncovered pots of honey thousands of years old, yet still preserved. Why? Honey is a natural product formed from nectar of flowers by honeybees. Honey is composed primarily of water and two sugars, fructose and glucose. The water content is the key factor in why it doesn’t spoil. It has 17% water content, low water activity and low acidity with ph of 4 make it unable to support the growth of bacteria or fungi. [1]
Honey contains trace amounts of minerals, enzymes, amino acids, B vitamins, vitamin C, antioxidants. Many of the antioxidants found in honey are classified as flavonoids and polyphenols. Flavonoids and polyphenols have anti-inflammatory properties, which may provide some health benefits. Honey has a potential therapeutic role in the treatment of disease by phytochemical, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. [2] Even though honey provides some health benefits it is a simple carbohydrate which is broken down quickly by the body. It also has a high glycemic index, which tells how quickly the food spikes the blood sugar levels.
How about date sugar? Apparently date sugar resembles brown sugar but the composition is completely different. Unlike other forms of sugar, date sugar is a powder made purely from 100% ground dried dates. When it comes to choosing dietary sugar, nothing beats the health benefits of date sugar.
Why date sugar? It’s abundantly rich in minerals, such as magnesium and copper, is a fantastic source of fiber and is packed with antioxidants, lutein, zeaxanthin and beta carotene. Being packed with dietary fiber gives date sugar a low glycemic index and it also helps tame your sugar craving. 100 calories of date sugar provides roughly around 3 grams of fiber. It also contains a high quantity of tannins which fight off infections and keep the digestive system robust. [3]
Molasses is formed when sugar is removed from sugarcane. Molasses contains a more concentrated form of nutrients such as iron, magnesium, potassium, B vitamin. Dark strap and black molasses have the highest antioxidants activity and they are still sweet. Also, Molasses doesn’t spike the blood sugar.
According to what Dr. Michael Greger, the founder of nutritionfacts.org, shared during a Plant Based Science Question and Answer session in June of 2019, “…molasses and date sugar are the best source of sweeteners…”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Health and Human Services guidelines recommend eating less than 10% of your total daily calories in added sugar.
A key to take away from this health article: The holiday season is around the corner and if you have a sweet tooth you may be interested in which alternate sweeteners to choose from the store shelves that also have some nutritional value.
May you have a wonderful Christmas and an abundant life!
Yin Schaff, Health Ministries Coordinator
References:
[1] Why Doesn’t Honey Spoil? – The Chemistry of Honey. Posted on 2014 – http://www.compundchem.com. Accessed Nov 10, 2022
[2] Samarghandian, S et al. 2017 Apr-Jun: 9(2): 121-127, Honey and Health, A Review of Recent Clinical Research. Pharmacognosy Research Medknows Publication. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc. Accessed Nov 10, 2022
[3] De Santis, A. Posted May 14, 2021. Date Sugar Healthier Alternative To Refined Sugar. Natural Nutrition Ca. http://www.nationalnutrition.ca. Accessed Nov 10, 2022