We all love looking for sugar substitutes given how awful it is for our health (Image: Shutterstock)
When you consume sugar in hot drinks, it is quickly absorbed into the blood.
If you’ve set yourself the goal of getting as healthy as possible this year, you probably know that making small lifestyle changes is key to maintaining your newfound well-being. One is limiting your sugar intake in drinks known as coffee or tea.
It’s no news that sugar isn’t great for our health, but it can be hard not to take it on a daily basis. “Do you want sugar in the coffee?” or “Would you like some sugar in your tea?” we are often asked. This can result in a downward cycle from one scoop of sweetness to three or four scoops for the perfect cuppa. It may seem like a modest amount, but getting your caffeine fix boost every day can add up and negatively impact your health.
How does sugar affect your health?
When taking sugar in hot drinks, it is easy to consume a large amount of liquid in a short time, and the sugar contained in it is quickly absorbed into the blood.
It is one of the problems with hot drinks with sugar in particular. Everyone is aware that we have a breaking point in blood sugar; therefore everything that goes up must fall down. In response, the pancreas secretes a large amount of insulin. A rapid rise and fall in blood sugar levels can be harmful to health; in addition, it can put people at risk for fat buildup under the skin and, more worryingly, in the gut, liver and pancreas.
Alternatives to add sweetness to your drinks
If you can’t handle a cup of latte or tea until it’s completely infused with sweetness, here are a few techniques to get more calories out of your diet, even without putting in a lot of effort. The healthier alternatives below may be helpful.
- Cinnamon: Adding this delicious spice to your cup of tea will give it a little sweetness and boost your immune system, something we could all use in the wee hours! You only need a small amount on top, but if you want to change the flavor, use nutmeg or cardamom.
- Cocoa Powder – Cocoa contains antioxidants that can enhance the overall richness of your cup of joy. Before brewing, a small amount can be mixed with the coffee.
- Almond Extract or Vanilla Extract – These extracts are organically sweet and are excellent methods of detangling yourself from extra sugar or sweeteners. Just a few drops are enough.
When you start using these healthy choices, your sugar cravings will decrease.
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