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ZOE Science & Nutrition

Recap: Is honey really better than sugar? | Dr. Sarah Berry

Sep 24, 2024
Dr. Sarah Berry, an expert on the science of sugar, joins to unravel the truth about sweeteners. Is honey really a healthier option compared to traditional sugar? She explores the origins and health impacts of sugar, detailing how both honey and sugar can affect our health similarly. The discussion extends to artificial sweeteners like stevia, highlighting potential risks and the need for further research. Berry also clarifies misconceptions about agave syrup, advocating for whole fruits as the best choice over processed sugars.
10:28

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Natural sugar alternatives like honey and maple syrup metabolize similarly to table sugar, offering no significant health benefits.
  • Excessive sugar intake can cause rapid blood glucose spikes, leading to negative health effects like inflammation and increased hunger.

Deep dives

The Misconception of Natural Sugar Alternatives

Natural sugar alternatives like honey and maple syrup are often perceived as healthier than table sugar due to their less processed nature. However, despite being derived from plants, both natural alternatives and table sugar contain similar components: glucose and fructose. Professor Sarah Berry explains that these sugars are metabolized in the body in much the same way, leading to comparable health effects. While honey does contain some vitamins and minerals, the amounts are minimal, indicating that substituting honey for table sugar may not significantly improve health outcomes.

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