Replacing sugar with honey: Coach's explanation
Illustrative photo (Freepik)
Many nutrition experts assert that sugar can be replaced with honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup when trying to lose weight. But is this really the case?
Professional fitness coach Viktor Mandziak provided an exclusive comment to RBC-Ukraine regarding this question.
Should sugar be replaced?
The expert said that honey, sugar, maple syrup, and agave syrup are birds of a feather, meaning they are all sugars.
People are constantly told that sugar is harmful, and are offered what seems like its healthy alternative.
"From a chemical point of view, these products do not differ much. Moreover, their calorie content is almost identical and they have the same amount of sucrose," the fitness coach said.
According to him, there is no difference in what you consume, as these products are nearly identical in composition and belong to the category of sugars.
For reference:
Honey is a natural product produced by bees from flower nectar. It has a sweet taste and has been used in food for thousands of years. Honey contains a large number of beneficial substances, such as flavonoids, antioxidants, B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and other minerals.
It is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties and can be used as a natural protector against infections.
Maple syrup is made from the sap of maple trees, which is boiled until the water evaporates, leaving a sweet concentrated syrup. It has a pleasant taste. Maple syrup contains minerals such as calcium, potassium, manganese, and others, as well as antioxidants. Consuming maple syrup in moderate amounts can be beneficial for the skin, cardiovascular system, and overall health.
Agave syrup is made from the sap of the agave plant, which grows in North America. It is a natural sweet product with a low glycemic index, meaning it does not cause a sharp rise in blood sugar levels.
Agave syrup has a very sweet taste and is used as a natural sugar substitute.
It also contains minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron. Agave syrup is used in cooking, for example, in desserts, sauces, and beverages, as well as a sweet addition to tea or coffee.
