Are "Natural" Sugars the New Health Food?

A recent Canadian report about maple syrup has many food manufacturers wondering if "natural" sugars are the next health food.

In lab studies reported by the University of Rhode Island, maple sugar was found to be chock full of antioxidants and beneficial compounds.

And as far as natural sugar products go, maple syrup isn't the only sweet treat getting some positive press. Molasses is also full of antioxidants, as are brown sugar and evaporated cane juice.

These so-called "natural" sugars aren't any less sugary than refined sugar or corn syrup. They have about the same calories as standard table sugar.

However, since they are less processed these other sugars and syrups do maintain the healthier nutrients often stripped out by the refining of standard table sugar.

And with the bad press lately aimed at refined foods and sugars, offering more "natural" alternatives may be a very smart move for food distributors.

It's important to keep in mind that alternative sugars like molasses crystals, cane juice crystals, brown sugar and maple syrup don't taste exactly like white table sugar, so switching sugars could change--perhaps dramatically--the color, texture and taste of your product.

Further, since each of these sugars requires different quantities in your end product, switching to an alternative sugar may have a significant effect on your bottom line, too, since different sugars are priced differently and required in different amounts in a given product.

Between the different taste, quantities needed, price, and marketing aspects of your end product, as a manufacturer, adding (or replacing) your current sugar with an alternative one may be a smart thing to consider.

Bear in mind, too, that the rich flavors associated with darker, less processed, and "natural" sugar products have their own fans. Offering a less processed sugar product might just attract a new customer base - one that wants to have their alternative sugar and eat it too.