Natural Sweeteners: a Lifestyle
Posted on March 09 2018

Ah, sugar. How ironic that something so bad for you tastes so irresistibly good, and can be found hidden in so many different foods.
NOW is here to help ease your sugar addiction with this informative guide to natural sugar alternatives that should be on any natural health enthusiast’s radar.
Keep in mind that replacing sugar with natural sweeteners typically requires some experimentation. We recommend following recipes that specifically call for these natural sweeteners until you’re more comfortable using them.
BetterStevia®
Source: Stevia Plant (Stevia rebaudiana)
Glycemic Index: 0 (Low)
Extraction Method: Enzymatically Hydrolyzed
Sweetness Compared to Sugar: 100 Times as Sweet
Keto Friendly
NOW® BetterStevia® is a clean, sweet herbal sweetener with less bitterness than other stevia extracts. Available in powder, liquids and packets, BetterStevia® can be used in a variety of food and beverages. Because stevia is so sweet you’ll need a lot less of it when cooking.
Suggested NOW Recipes:
Heavenly Hibiscus Sangria "Mocktail"
Coconut Flour Crepes
Dextrose
Source: Non-GMO Corn
Glycemic Index: 100 (High)
Extraction Method: Enzymatically Processed
Sweetness Compared to Sugar: ¾ as Sweet
Also known as glucose, this natural sweetener is typically derived from corn and has a fine texture and moderate sweetness. Dextrose can be substituted 1:1 for sugar, but it’s not quite as sweet, so some minor experimentation may be needed to achieve the same sweetness.
Organic Erythritol
Source: Non-GMO Corn
Glycemic Index: 0 (Low)
Extraction Method: Glucose Fermentation
Sweetness Compared to Sugar: 60-70% as Sweet
Keto Friendly
Erythritol can be used in many applications that call for sugar, but it’s about 70% as sweet, so you’ll need to use a bit more. Unlike sugars, sugar alcohols do not react with yeast, so it’s advisable to use a different sweetener for these types of recipes, or include a leavening agent if appropriate.
Fructose
Source: Non-GMO Corn
Glycemic Index: 19 (Low)
Extraction Method: Fermentation
Sweetness Compared to Sugar: More Than 1 ½ Times as Sweet
Fructose is a simple sugar that’s also called fruit sugar. You’ll find it naturally in fruits, vegetables, melons, berries, and other sources. Crystalline fructose is very sweet, around one and a half times sweeter than table sugar. Fructose is a great substitute for sugar, especially for chewy baked goods since it doesn’t re-crystallize easily once added into a recipe.
For more information on Fructose visit NOW Foods FAQ page.
Xylitol
Source: Corn
Glycemic Index: 7 (Low)
Extraction Method: Hydrolyzed Extract
Sweetness Compared to Sugar: Same
Keto Friendly
Like erythritol, Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that requires a bit of experimentation when using in place of sugar. Like other sugar alcohols, xylitol does not react with yeast, so it’s advisable to use a different sweetener for certain recipes, or to include a leavening agent where appropriate.
For more information on xylitol visit NOW Foods FAQ page.