Is there natural sugar substitute that doesn’t have an aftertaste? Natural sugar does come with some essential benefits, but the aftertaste is often reason enough not to like it. So, yes there are natural sugar substitutes with no after-taste. While not all-natural sugar substitutes have an aftertaste, the majority of them certainly do.
Natural sugar can be found in fruits such as fructose (fruit sugar), lactose dairy sugar, and sucrose (table sugar). Research shows that natural sugar can provide some essential nutrients and also prevent certain diseases as well but it is important to consume it in moderation.
It’s pretty hard for humans not to crave sweet stuff and natural sugar helps stay on the safe side since it’s healthier compared to refined sugar. Refined sugar is best avoided completely.
Added sugar can lead to a lot of health issues if you consume too much of it. Although natural sugar found in fruits and dairy products has some health benefits, however, some natural sugar like table sugar is not as beneficial as they claim. So, check out healthier alternatives and with no aftertaste either.
9 Natural Sugar Substitutes Without The Aftertaste
If you are cutting back on refined sugar then natural sugar is worth substituting since it’s found in natural unprocessed foods however you can’t consume natural sugar too often either. Although fruit sugar is good for, the body process it differently and the aftertaste is another reason to check out some of the substitutes listed below.
1. Raw Honey
Raw honey is the first natural sugar substitute many people tend to consider and it’s due to its health benefits. Honey is rich in nutrients and vitamins. You can substitute honey for fruits or dairy in some recipes as well. You can swap natural sugar for honey as well and the fructose level is higher than natural sugar too.
Replacing natural sugar with honey can help lower your blood sugar level. Honey is a popular natural sweetener and can be used in cooking and baking as well. It has a stronger flavor than natural sugar but no aftertaste to worry about.
2. Date Sugar
Date sugar is made from grounded dates and surprisingly it is a natural sweetener that can replace natural sugar. Date sugar can replace both natural and refined sugar or any type of sugar or recipe. It is rich in antioxidants and potassium concentration.
This might not be the ideal sugar you want to put in drinks but it works in some recipes and baking as well. This does not have any aftertaste you should worry about either and it’s an ideal substitute for brown sugar.
3. Monk Fruit
Monk fruit is a lot sweeter than sugar but it’s a perfect substitute for coffee, tea, oatmeal, or smoothies. Monk fruit has no sugar, it is a natural sweetener, and consuming it won’t affect your blood sugar level. This natural sugar substitute has no side effects and is sourced from monk fruit or Lo Han fruit found in China.
The health benefits of monk fruit are enough reason to substitute it for natural sugar. You can sprinkle this on fruits for natural sweetness and it can be used to counterbalance the acidity of tomato sauces for making marinades.
4. Maple Syrup
There are so many amazing ways you can implement maple syrup in your diet. Maple syrup is just as sweet as sugar and it can be found in nearly all supermarkets. This has a thick sugar-like taste and it comes in light-dark varieties and it has a unique taste that makes it a specialty in many recipes and a better sugar substitute.
Maple syrup is also a great alternative if you are cutting back on all kinds of sugar. The flavor is hard to describe, but there is no aftertaste to worry about. It contains antioxidants and several other vitamins and minerals.
5. Coconut Sugar
If you want something quite similar to natural sugar but not aftertaste to worry about, coconut sugar is another perfect natural sugar substitute to try. Coconut sugar is also called coconut palm sugar and as the name implies, it is coconut palm sap. This is plant-based and happens to be a natural sweetener.
6. Tagatose
Tagatose is another natural sugar substitute used in chewing gum, diet soft drinks, dietary frozen yogurt, and frostings. This can be used in baking as well but in a small amount and since its main purpose is to improve the sweetness profile of products, it’s not as sweet as sugar but has no aftertaste.
Tagatose is quite expensive though but beneficial for people with diabetes who are following a low GI diet. However, a high quantity of these should be avoided.
7. Agave Nectar
Agave nectar is another sugar substitute that you don’t have to deal with its aftertaste. Agave nectar is a natural sweetener that is derived from the blue agave plant. This is not a healthy replacement for natural sugar but provides more nutrients than refined sugar.
Consuming this is excess can lead to obesity and it’s not the ideal choice for people with diabetes. It can be used in replacement of natural sugar in all kinds of cooking and it does taste similar to honey.
8. Yacon Syrup
Here is a healthier sugar substitute that comes from the Yacon plant. This has been a trendy substitute for sugar since it’s healthier and has low calories as well. Yacon Syrup also contains some indigestible sugar but it’s high in potassium and antioxidants. You can use this in coffee tea and baking just like any liquid sweeteners.
9. Erythritol
Erythritol is an excellent sugar alcohol and it doesn’t have the aftertaste you can get from natural sugar. This is also identical to sugar so you can use it in almost anything that requires sugar. This can be used as an artificial sweetener and it’s not as sweet as sugar. It doesn’t raise insulin or sugar levels too.
What sugar substitute has the least aftertaste?
Honey has no aftertaste and it won’t overwhelm your taste bud either. Another perfect sweetener with no aftertaste is erythritol, it has a sweet flavor that is similar to table sugar but no bitter aftertaste that can be found in natural table sugar like sucrose and saccharin.
Why do sugar substitutes have an aftertaste?
Most sugar substitutes are artificial sweetener that excites the same sweetness as sugar but they do not taste receptors which is why some end up having a bitter aftertaste. The molecules of the sweetener also sideswipe receptors for bitterness, but there are substitutes with mild to no aftertaste.
Is there stevia with no aftertaste?
Stevia has a naturally bitter taste since it contains a glycoside molecule that gives it a bitter aftertaste. There is currently no sure record of stevia with no aftertaste however there are claims that some stevia products are being processed without any aftertaste.
Do artificial sweeteners have an aftertaste?
Artificial sweeteners have an aftertaste just like natural sugar and there is not much difference in the taste of these two on your taste buds. However, there are certain artificial sweeteners like honey that have a sweet mild aftertaste.
You can either love or hate a certain artificial sweetener and since most are adept at mimicking sucrose, hard to find one without an aftertaste.
Final Thoughts
Sugar in all forms has good and bad effects on the body hence any type of sugar needs to be consumed in moderation.
Natural sugar is digested slower compared to other types of sugar hence it makes you fuller and you consume less. Natural sugar from fruits is considered nutritive while artificial sweetener is best avoided.
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