Honey is a natural sweetener that can be used in a variety of drinks. It also has several health benefits.
The phytonutrients in honey are thought to be responsible for its immune-boosting and anticancer properties. They also help the body fight against allergies and diseases.
Studies have shown that the polyphenols in honey can counter neuroinflammation in the hippocampus, an area of the brain involved in memory.
Natural Sweetener
Natural sweeteners are made from plant or fruit extracts and a variety of other ingredients to act as a more nutritious alternative to sugar. They are usually lower in calories and offer a range of other health benefits like antioxidants and minerals.
Some examples of natural sweeteners include honey, blackstrap molasses and maple syrup. While these sweeteners may have fewer calories than sugar, they still contain added sugar and should be consumed in moderation.
Other natural sweeteners include stevia and monk fruit. Stevia is extracted from the stevia plant and can be up to 300 times sweeter than sugar with no calories at all. Monk fruit, also known as luo han guo, is a no-calorie sweetener that comes in a powder form and doesn’t raise blood sugar levels. However, it is important to note that some monk fruit products contain erythritol, which can cause digestive side effects like gas and bloating. Choose monk fruit sweeteners without erythritol for better digestion.
Natural Beverage Sweetener
As consumers continue to reduce their sugar intake, they’re looking for natural sweeteners that offer a similar taste and mouthfeel to the beverages they already love. This provides beverage formulators with a unique opportunity to innovate reduced-calorie formulations that can satisfy consumer demand while remaining within calorie constraints.
Natural sweeteners tend to have a lower glycemic index than traditional refined sugars and can help prevent blood sugar spikes, which makes them suitable for individuals with diabetes or those who follow a low-glycemic diet. Additionally, these options can have added health benefits, such as antioxidants or antibacterial properties.
Many beverage creators are turning to natural sweetener blends to deliver the sweetness, mouthfeel and ingredient perception that consumers are looking for. According to Kokkinidou, “Successful sweetener blends allow you to get to a more desirable sugar-reduction level without losing the functionality and taste that the beverage requires.”
Natural Skin Care Sweetener
White label honey has been clinically shown to bolster health in a bunch of ways. Aside from the obvious (immunity-boosting, antibacterial) benefits, this natural sweetener is also a skin beauty ingredient, helping to rectify acne, pimples, dark spots, tans, wrinkles and dryness with its hydrating and smoothing properties. It contains probiotic bacteria like lactobacillus kunkeei, which are known to stimulate the immune system, and passes along phytochemicals that help to stimulate cell growth.
When it comes to skin care, you want to look for pure, raw and local honey. This is more wholesome than mass-produced honey that may be pasteurized and contain additives like high-fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners like Splenda, whose consumption has been linked to a myriad of negative health conditions including heart disease, obesity and diabetes.
