The Sweet Truth: What Sugar Substitutes Are Best for People with Diabetes?

Not all sweeteners are created equal—especially when blood sugar is involved.

Artificial sweeteners may scream “zero calories!” but when it comes to diabetes, they might also whisper “surprise glucose spike!” Studies suggest that long-term use of artificial sweeteners could be linked to weight gain and even a higher risk of diabetes.

The (Sweeter) Good Guys:

Let’s meet the sugar subs that actually have your back:

• Stevia: A natural plant-based sweetener that may help regulate blood sugar, support insulin function, and boost glucose tolerance. 🌿

• Tagatose: Sounds like a magician’s name, but it might just make carbs disappear (or at least slow their absorption).

• Monk Fruit: Sweet, low-cal, and trending in health stores everywhere.

• Date Sugar: Ground-up whole dates. High in fiber, sweet in taste, and better than candy.

• Sugar Alcohols: Erythritol and xylitol won’t spike blood sugar like regular sugar, but moderation is key (and so is a good sense of humor about potential gas…).

Wait, aren’t artificial sweeteners supposed to help?

Well, sorta. They may help short-term, but research shows they could confuse your taste buds and make you crave more sweet stuff—plus they might mess with your gut and lead to weight gain.

The World Health Organization even recommends against using them to manage weight. 😮

So what’s the sweet spot?

Moderation, natural sweeteners, and most importantly—less sweet stuff overall. Your taste buds will adjust, and your future self (and pancreas) will thank you.

Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes/diabetes-stevia