Be it colourful candy, mouth-watering mithai, or the comforting crystals added to our morning tea, sugar is in all things delicious. Being rather addictive, it has found its way into many dishes and is difficult to let go of. All those with a sweet tooth sighed in relief at the discovery of artificial sweeteners in the 1880s. Replacing processed sugar with these alternatives, little did they know that what they considered 'good' was still detrimental to their health. With several sugar substitutes and alternatives in the market, here is a lowdown on their benefits and drawbacks so that you can make an informed choice.
Before we dive deep into the various sweeteners, let's understand what 'glycaemic index (GI)' means. It is a rating system that ranks dietary sugars on a scale of 1 to 100, based on how much they raise blood sugar. The higher the rise in blood sugar, the more susceptible is one to lifestyle diseases like diabetes, gut disruption, and hormonal disorders. The GI ratings are interpreted as follows: low GI/low rise in blood sugar: 55 or less; medium GI/medium-rise in blood sugar: 56-69; high GI/high rise in blood sugar: 70-100
Processed Sugars
Sucrose: The infamous table sugar, present in most kitchens, has a high GI score of 70. Derived from sugarcane or sugar beet, this ultra-refined commodity has no vitamins, minerals, or fibre. Researchers have linked it to obesity, diabetes, hormonal disruption, heart disease, kidney impairment, and eye degeneration.
High fructose corn syrup: This devil in disguise is the ultra-processed corn starch found in boxed cereals, candy, aerated drinks, and packaged fruit juices. Ranking a high 87, it can be a major cause of weight gain, insulin resistance, and diabetes.
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Miracles of Mount Maunganui
A hike to Mount Maunganui in New Zealand filled Rashi Bunny with a sense of awe and wonder equivalent to witnessing the glory of the Divine Himself
Navigating Your 20s: A Simple Guide
By embracing the tumultuous journey through her 20s, Abhilasha Srivastava learnt to triumph over the challenges encountered and carve the path for her future
Inducing Sweet Slumber
As we are well aware, lack of sound sleep can give rise to physical and mental problems. To ensure a good night's rest, you could follow the suggestions given by Jamuna Rangachari in the next few pages
Days for the Divine
Guided by her mentor Megha Bajaj, Meghana Acharya sends positive vibes into the Universe to ensure the well-being and success of others
Voices from the beyond
Near-Death Experiences (NDES) have long fascinated humanity-a glimpse beyond the veil, a sneak peek into the unknown that pulsates with wonders, mysteries and intrigue. Jamuna Rangachari takes us through the narrations of a few who went to the other side and returned to share in great detail what they experienced and how it transformed them
All for the best
An academic disaster turned opportunity led Rajeev Hallur to understand the jigsaw puzzle of life, initially incomprehensible to most of us
Many Lives, One Master
Dr Bijal Maroo probes into the enigmatic charisma of Swami Omkaranandaji to discover the story behind his uncanny healing powers
Modern art with a tribal touch
Gautam Bharati and Avani Jain, based in Dungarpur, Rajasthan saw the incredible ability and passion of tribals for arts and decided to do something about it.
Laugh your way to health
Rupa Bannur, a former IT professional turned holistic health coach from Bangalore began turning to laughter yoga in 2001 after she faced profound loss of precious family members.
Healing Hands
When Rupesh Budh Ahmedabad from was 15 years of age, he learnt meditation from his martial arts (Karate) teacher. His teacher also introduced him to Reiki as a healing modality that can cure with just a touch. He told him that advanced Reiki practitioners can cure even from a distance without touching.
