Many of us enjoy a cup (or more) of coffee each morning. And although coffee does offer up some great health benefits, including the fact that it could aid weight loss, adding the wrong ingredients to the mix could negate these benefits and have an adverse effect on your health. For example, mixing a lot of sugar and flavored syrups into your cup of joe on a regular basis could make it difficult to lose weight. This can be a real downer for those of us with a sweet tooth. But luckily, there are a lot of healthy alternatives to refined sugar.
But which option is the best? To answer this question, we checked in with health experts Lisa Richards, nutritionist and creator of The Candida Diet, and Omaira Ferreira, functional health practitioner. They told us that monk fruit is their go-to option thanks to its great sweetness and health benefits. Read on to learn more about how swapping refined sugar for this sweetener could do wonders for your waistline.
Monk fruit benefits for weight loss
Most health experts will agree that taking your coffee black is the best option for your health. But if you really don't enjoy the taste of unsweetened coffee, you're not alone. Instead of adding inflammatory sugar to your cup, though, Richards and Gervacio say you should give monk fruit a try.
"Monk fruit makes a great alternative to creamer and sugar for sweetening purposes," Richards says. She says that in addition to adding a good dose of natural sweetness, it's also high in antioxidants, so you're "not only avoiding inflammatory ingredients in processed creamers or sugar, but you are also giving your body anti-inflammatory nutrients." Amazing! Ferreira seconds this. "Monk fruit contains natural antioxidants, such as mogrosides, which have been found to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties," she says. "These compounds may help protect against oxidative stress and support overall health."
She also praises the waist-slimming benefits of monk fruit. "One of the primary benefits of monk fruit sweetener is that it contains zero calories," she says. "This makes it an excellent choice for those who are watching their calorie intake or trying to manage their weight."
Plus, it tastes great, which is definitely important in a sweetener. In fact, it's even sweeter than sugar! "Monk fruit sweetener is known for its intense sweetness, often considered to be much sweeter than sugar," Ferreira tells us. "As a result, you only need a small amount to achieve the desired sweetness in your recipes. It can be used as a substitute for sugar in beverages, baked goods, sauces, and more." Okay, we're sold.
The bottom line
Ultimately, the way you like your coffee is personal, and the best sweetener for you will partly depend on your unique tastes. However, if you're looking out for your health, experts urge you to limit your intake of sugar, as this can lead to a range of issues, including weight gain. And when it comes to healthy alternatives, monk fruit is arguably the best option around. READ MORE: Nutritionists Agree: This Is The Healthiest Creamer To Add To Your Coffee For Weight Loss
