THE BEST SWEETENERS FOR ORAL HEALTH AND OVERALL HEALTH

THE PALEO DENTIST BLOG
TPD BLOG #122 THE BEST SWEETENERS FOR ORAL HEALTH AND OVERALL HEALTH
Dr. Spiker Davis D.D.S. 713-781-2800 Dr. Matt Guerre D.D.S.
In collaboration with Dr. John Seger M.D. Cardiologist 713-791-9444 and Jenna Nixon Holistic Nutritionist 281-433-9996
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There are so many sweeteners on the market today that it is very difficult to keep up with them. You also get multiple opinions about which ones are good and which ones are bad. What do we do? I personally tend to use natural sweeteners and avoid the fake stuff. Below is a list that I have created that in my opinion are safe and taste good.

First let’s talk about natural sweeteners

Monk Fruit Extract-is a natural zero calorie sweetener that comes from the monk fruit. Because it is derived from something natural, it has become one of my favorite sugar substitutes. I put the liquid drops in my coffee daily. It does contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Several studies show that it naturally has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds and may reduce post meal blood sugar.
Stevia-this is an extract from the leaves of the stevia plant from South America. It is 200-300 times stronger than sugar with no calories. It is my second favorite natural sweetener and comes in a powder, liquid or granules. Studies show it may help lower blood pressure and improve insulin sensitivity.
Honey-is a source of natural sugar but has lots of vitamins, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. I love honey but it is sugar and, in my opinion, much healthier than table sugar. Believe it or not , when used in moderation it can help decrease LDL levels of cholesterol.
Maple Syrup-it is a natural sweetener from the maple tree. It does contain minerals and antioxidants but in reality, it is sugar and it is high in sucrose. In my opinion it is better than sugar but still has most of the bad side affects like causing cavities and raising your blood sugar.
Molasses-In mostly animal studies, molasses reduced inflammation, improved liver health, supported weight management, and helped prevent the development of insulin resistance compared to sugar.

Sugar beet molasses may support heart health due to its betaine content, a unique compound that helps reduce the harmful effects of homocysteine. In animals, sugar beet molasses helped reduce homocysteine levels. High homocysteine levels have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and other issues. From a tooth standpoint, it still causes cavities.

Yacon Syrup-this is a natural sweetener made from the roots of the yacon plant. It is known for its low glycemic index and aiding in blood sugar control. Consuming in large amounts can cause digestive issues. I have personally never tried this because I never see it at the store, but it seems to have good reports.
Agave nectar-it is syrup from the Agave plant. It does contain fructose. It does break down slowly so for diabetics it is better than honey etc. In large amounts it may contribute to prediabetes and obesity. I have tried it and I personally prefer honey.

Now let’s discuss artificial sweeteners. There are many of these and in my opinion, I want to avoid anything that is artificial. You can probably find a study somewhere that will show these to be good and bad, so in my opinion I would not consume these.

Aspartame-Nutrasweet and Equal-some research suggests health issues
Xylitol-a sugar alcohol. High doses may lead to cardiovascular disease
Acesulfame potassium- can be associated with weight gain
Saccharin-possible link to bladder cancer
Neotame-I have also never seen this one in the store
Sucralose-very few calories but could possibly cause malignant tumors
Tagatose-is a form of Fructose so it is sugar
Allulose-from some fruits such as figs, raisins and jackfruit.

Just FYI, almost anything that ends in an “OSE” is a sugar or a sugar alcohol, so I intentionally avoid all of those as the research is just not there for me. I personally just use the first 3 products-Monk Fruit, Stevia and honey. If I’m desperate then I would just use plane old sugar.

SUMMARY-It is obvious to ME that your mouth is the window to your health. In my opinion, we should all focus on our health every day and that includes brushing, flossing, dental cleanings and while we are at it, let’s visit our physician for that annual checkup. Also, in my opinion almost all sugar and FAKE sugar is not healthy and I try hard to avoid it. If you are eating the Standard American Diet, then you asking to get sick and suffer as in Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease, gum disease and decay. Please aim to be healthier starting now before the holidays.. Have you started to plan your goals for 2026???

The doctors and staff are behind you and please call us if we can help. 713-781-2800. Also, please call or email JENNA NIXON if you need some detailed NUTRITIONAL counseling from a true WELL-TRAINED professional and call Dr. John Seger if you are having any heart issues.

REMEMBER, “YOU DON’T HAVE TO FLOSS ALL OF YOUR TEETH, JUST THE ONES YOU WANT TO KEEP”!

LET’S MAKE 2026 OUR HEALTHIEST YEAR EVER!

SpikeR

“THE MOUTH IS THE WINDOW TO YOUR HEALTH”. BRUSH AND FLOSS TWICE DAILY, AVOID SUGAR AND PROCESSED FOOD FOR 2026 AND SEE YOUR DENTIST AND PHYSICIAN ON A REGULAR BASIS.

Spiker Davis D.D.S. spiker@thepaleodentist.com John Seger M.D. Matt Guerre D.D.S. Jenna Nixon Nutritioist

Jenna@goodthingsnaturalhealth.com 281-433-9996

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