Sometimes we like to have a sweet little kick to our coffee. Adding sugar to your coffee is ok, if occasional. However, putting additional sugar in your drinks can be unhealthy if consumed continuously.
Additional Sugars
The NHS reports that an excessive amount of sugar in our diets can be the cause of obesity as well as tooth decay.
Amongst other lifestyle changes suggested by the NHS, an effective way to reduce your intake of sugar is to cut down how much refined sugar you add to your hot drinks.
The NHS recommends cutting down your intake of refined sugar in hot beverages slowly until you gradually have none at all. If this doesn’t feel like an achievable objective, the NHS suggests swapping to sweeteners.
Exploring Alternatives to Sugar at Esquires
Here at Esquires Coffee, we pride ourselves on producing organic, Fairtrade and delicious coffee! We want our customers to enjoy their beverages wherever they are, so have researched ways you can enjoy a sweeter tasting coffee which is also healthier!
Does Esquires Coffee sound like a company you would like to be part of, and are you curious to know more? If you would like to buy a coffee franchise, we can offer a number of opportunities to make your coffee shop dreams a reality.
Healthy Ways to Sweeten Your Coffee
Take a look at our infographic below on our top choices of healthy ways to sweeten your coffee!
Honey
Bees create honey from plant nectar. It is a golden and thick liquid which is often used as an alternative to sugar, as a form of sweetener. The health benefits compared to sugar has been scrutinised as it has been reported that teaspoon for a teaspoon of the substance contains more calories than sugar.
However, it is also worth mentioning that honey has a strong taste, which means you will naturally use less of it. Furthermore, it doesn’t cause significant peaks and troughs in blood sugar levels the same way refined sugars can.
It also contains many healthy minerals and vitamins, and is an antioxidant!
Dates
Dates are dried fruit, derived from a date palm tree and found in tropical climates across the world. Often used as natural sweeteners in food, you may see them appear in cakes and other sweet treats.
Dates are famous for their high levels of fibre, which, in turn, supports lower LDL cholesterol levels. They also contain vitamin B6 and magnesium, amongst other healthy vitamins and minerals.
You can create a date paste and add it to your coffee as a natural sugar alternative.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a spice with a distinct flavour which is often paired with coffee. It may not be for everyone, but its unique flavour can add another dimension to your coffee. It is for those in search of something sweet but bold! You should ideally add Ceylon cinnamon over Cassia cinnamon, which is the more common form.
The spice is well regarded for its potential health properties, including the lowering of blood sugar. It is often used by people who have diabetes or at high risk of heart disease for its sweet flavouring.
Stevia
From the Stevia Rebaudiana plant, Stevia is a sugar substitute that is used to sweeten food and drink. It is favoured over refined sugar because it has a lower number of calories.
It is often used by people who have diabetes because it doesn’t increase blood sugar levels once consumed. It is also less likely to cause cavities in comparison to refined sugar.
It is renowned for its incredibly sweet flavouring, so make sure to use sparingly when added to coffee. Furthermore, ensure you’re using 100% pure stevia.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Cocoa is the source of one of our favourite delicacies, chocolate! When it isn’t sweetened, cocoa is naturally full of antioxidants and has been connected to lowering the chance of heart disease. If you love mocha, you will love this way of sweetening your coffee! Using unsweetened cocoa powder, add it to your coffee and enjoy the smooth flavour!
Vanilla
Vanilla is a spice which comes from the orchids of the Vanilla plant. It originates from Central and South America as well as the Caribbean. It has been with us for a while, first cultivated by the Totonacs on the east coast of Mexico.
It is a popular flavouring which the distinct taste is often used to sweeten food and drink recipes, instead of adding sugar.
The natural form is the best way to enjoy the benefits of vanilla. Health advantages include the antioxidants vanillin acid and vanillin, as well as its antiinflammation and cholesterol-reducing properties.
How do you like to sweeten your coffee? There are plenty more ingredients to experiment with!
About the author - Jack Anderson
Jack has been working in the franchise sector for over 12 years and is our in-house guru on all things business! Jack is also a keen hiker and can be found in some of the UK's best walking spots on the weekends.
