Confectionery products and snacks are enjoyed by people of all ages. In the past, these products were made primarily with sugar or honey. However, innovations have led to the creation of various sugar substitutes like aspartame and stevia. The expanding market share of artificial sweeteners has led to a debate between sugar vs sweeteners. In fact, there are various groups that advocate against the usage of certain sweeteners such as high-fructose corn syrup or aspartame. Consumer preferences have also changed, and many people strive to avoid food products that are rich in sugar or other alternatives. In this post, we’ll compare sugar vs sweeteners vs honey. We’ll share more about the pros, downsides, and uses of these three major groups of sweeteners. Check out our articles on the global sugar market or honey business ideas if you want to learn more about the different aspects of these industries.
Key takeaway: There’s an ongoing debate about the benefits and downsides of sugar vs sweeteners and other alternatives. Products like stevia and monk fruit sweeteners have become popular items among baking enthusiasts and a restaurant industry trend in coffee shops and food service businesses.
Honey VS Sugar
Honey is more nutritious and less processed (especially raw honey) than sugar. Its rich flavor profile and the fact that it contains antioxidants and minerals make it a great alternative to sugar. That’s why many prefer to sweeten their tea or another beverage with honey instead of regular or brown sugar. The downsides of honey vs sugar are that it’s more expensive and it has higher calorie content. Nevertheless, most health-conscious consumers prefer honey instead of processed sugar due to its antibacterial properties, additional nutrients, and lower glycemic index. Sugar is cheaper and more versatile than honey and has more commercial applications. Besides being used as an ingredient, the main uses of honey are related to cosmetics (hair treatment and face masks) and as a natural medicine for coughs and sore throats. Sales of wholesale honey have grown in recent years due to the popularity of natural and organic sweeteners.
Honey VS Sweeteners
In addition to the pros of honey mentioned above, there are additional benefits to using it instead of artificial or natural sweeteners. Honey can come in various colors and flavors. Furthermore, different types of honey (mostly infused honey) have become popular in recent years. These products can be consumed on their own, used to flavor tea, or used as an ingredient in pastries. If you’re interested in selling honey, keep in mind that infused honey often sells at a higher price. The advantages of natural and artificial sweeteners are primarily related to their lower (or zero) glycemic index. That’s because of their low (or zero) calorie content. Although some consumers are concerned about health problems related to artificial sweeteners, there are also natural ones such as stevia or monk fruit sweeteners. Sugar alcohols like xylitol and erythritol are also considered to be safe. Transportation and logistics are much easier compared to shipping sugar or honey. A major con of all sweeteners is that they have a distinct aftertaste. They might also cause digestive issues among other potential health risks.
Sugar VS Sweeteners
Although sales of wholesale sugar continue to grow, alternative sweeteners have expanded their market share in recent years. The variety of sweeteners and their numerous applications are the reason why sugar wholesale suppliers and other distributors often have the most common artificial and natural sweeteners in their catalogs as well. The main advantage of sweeteners is their suitability for people with diabetes or other dietary restrictions. They are either low or zero-calorie products that don’t raise blood sugar. This has made them a popular ingredient in baking or a condiment to sweeten sugar-free beverages. Sweeteners also don’t cause tooth decay and some types are hundreds of times sweeter than sugar. This means they have lower transportation costs which are important when it comes to wholesale sales. The downsides of sweeteners are related to their aftertaste and some health concerns (especially for aspartame and saccharin). When comparing sugar vs sweeteners, it’s important to keep in mind that sugar is a versatile ingredient. On the other hand, some sweeteners can’t be used for baking while others are primarily suitable for large-scale manufacturing.
Final Thoughts of Sugar VS Sweeteners VS Honey
Natural products like stevia and monk fruit sweeteners are among the best options to sweeten your beverage or use in recipes. Artificial sweeteners like aspartame can reduce the cost of goods sold due to their low price. Honey is still a beloved natural sweetener used worldwide. However, its high-calorie content makes it potentially problematic for people with dietary restrictions or those who don’t want to gain weight. Its retail and wholesale prices are also higher compared to sugar or other sweeteners. Regular, coconut, date, or brown sugar are all versatile ingredients that can be used to bake or sweeten beverages. They also have industrial applications in the pharmaceutical sector and in ethanol production.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sugar VS Sweeteners VS Honey
Whether you want to know where to buy wholesale sugar or how to sell sugar online, BlueCart has various resources on a number of topics. Below you will find the answers to some common questions regarding sugar vs sweeteners.
What Are the Unhealthiest Sweeteners?
Although artificial sweeteners are generally considered safe, they have some side effects. That’s why, when comparing sugar vs sweeteners, some customers might prefer the former. Aspartame is considered to be one of the unhealthiest options on the artificial sweetener market. It’s connected to side effects such as headaches and dizziness. Several studies have found carcinogenic effects after its consumption. Sucralose is another example of a sweetener that many try to avoid due to its contribution to addiction to confectionery products. Acesulfame K (also known as Ace K) and saccharin are also linked to side effects like nausea and digestive upset.
Will Sweeteners Replace Sugar?
In the past years, the sweeteners niche market has grown rapidly. However, these sugar substitutes are unlikely to replace sugar in upcoming decades. That’s because sugar still remains an important ingredient among food manufacturers in developing countries. Furthermore, sugarcane has a variety of commercial and industrial applications. It can be used to manufacture ethanol (used as a biofuel), biodegradable packaging solutions, animal feed, and alcoholic beverages such as rum. Furthermore, many consumers prefer regular sugar compared to artificial sweeteners or more expensive natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit sweeteners. That’s why the debate about sugar vs sweeteners is here to stay.
What Are the Trends in the Sweeteners Market?
The broad sweeteners market includes all types of sugar, honey, sugar alcohols, and natural or artificial sweeteners. One of the most important trends is related to consumer behavior. A growing number of people search for organic alternatives to sugar or artificial sweeteners. This has made monk fruit and stevia sweeteners high-demand products. Another trend observed in this market is related to regulatory changes like sugar and soft drinks taxes. These are likely to cause disruptions in the industry as more strict regulations will make businesses adapt. Read our post on the latest sugar trends.
BlueCart: The Wholesale Marketplace for Sugar, Honey, Sweeteners, and Other Goods
If you’re a business owner looking for a reliable wholesale marketplace platform, BlueCart is the right solution for you. Our software connects wholesale buyers like businesses in the restaurant industry with broadline distributors and specialized suppliers. Thanks to BlueCart, wholesale distribution companies can make the ordering process much easier and automate various tasks. Schedule a demo and see how BlueCart can help increase B2B sales, scale your operations, and digitalize your business.