Natural Sweeteners: Healthy Options For Your Sweet Tooth

Course overview

Most Americans consume far more sugar than they require, and this contributes to obesity as well as many types of diseases. The role of sugar in the diet is an important one, and understanding its effect on the body and its role in inflammation and disease can significantly affect one's health. Alternatives to refined sugar are numerous, but are they safe and effective? Not all sweeteners are created equal, and it is important to understand which ones are generally accepted as safe and which ones may threaten one's health. The outcome of this course for the learner is to describe the historical role of sugar in the diet as well as explain the various definitions of sugar, glucose metabolism, the health effects of too much dietary sugar, the glycemic index, artificial and natural alternatives to sugar, and methods of reducing dietary sugar intake.