Switching to Natural Sweeteners in 2026: How Your Brain & Body Will Thank You



Of late, more and more people have begun moving towards natural sweeteners like raw honey, jaggery, coconut sugar and some such. The major reason for this shift is that a lot of people are looking for less processed alternatives to refined sugar. Natural sweeteners consist of trace nutrients or micronutrients and have a lower glycemic impact, thus supporting clean eating. Moreover, choosing natural sweeteners is an easy first step towards healthy living.

If you are looking to make more mindful and healthy choices in the new year and still crave a touch of sweetness in your food and beverages, you can begin by switching to natural sweeteners. Through this blog, we will take you through a list of some of the best natural sweeteners that will serve you right and well. So, follow along!

1. What Are Natural Sweeteners?

Consuming too much sugar can negatively impact your health. How, you ask? It could cause health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and fatty liver disease. Enter, natural sweeteners. Switching to natural sweeteners will aid in reducing the risk of the aforementioned diseases and improve your health all-in-all.

Natural sweeteners are healthy alternatives to refined sugars, like white sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, because they are made from either plants or natural sources. In the following section, we have listed some of the best natural sweeteners that you can include in your diet.

2. Natural Sweeteners: 5 of the Best Alternatives to Refined Sugars

1. Raw Honey

Natural raw honey is directly collected from the hive and is not pasteurised or heated, allowing it to retain various essential nutrients such as: 

• Antioxidants 

• Vitamin B6

• Iron

• Calcium

• Potassium

• Zinc

• Phosphorus 

• Enzymes

• Niacin 

• Riboflavin

Regular honey, on the other hand, is pasteurised or heated, stripping away many of its beneficial properties.

The nutrients present in natural raw honey help provide our bodies with the energy, metabolism, and immunity that it requires. Moreover, it supports the growth of healthy gut bacteria and has less of an impact on blood sugar levels.

2. Jaggery

Jaggery is an unrefined natural sweetener. It is made by extracting sugarcane juice, boiling it down and then allowing it to cool to solidify. Furthermore, the solidified jaggery is crushed or powdered to create natural jaggery powder. Through the entire process, no chemicals are used, preventing it from losing the iron, magnesium and potassium that it contains.

Jaggery has been used by Indian Ayurvedic medicine practitioners for years now. In fact, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India, more than 70% of the jaggery across the world comes from our country. Many Indians consider it to be a medicinal sugar and believe that it can cure a variety of health-related issues.

3. Stevia

Stevia is a plant-based sweetener. It is obtained from the leaves of Stevia Rebaudiana, a South American shrub. Its sweetness is derived from the natural compounds of the plant called Glycosides, more specifically, Stevioside and Rebaudioside A. 

These compounds are much sweeter than regular sugar and have zero calories. Therefore, you require small amounts of it for sweetness. Moreover, it offers a low-glycemic index and does not impact insulin or blood sugar levels.

Stevia, in its purest form, is considered to be safe to consume in moderate amounts.

4. Date Sugar

Whole dates are dried and ground into a fine powder to create date sugar. It is less processed and made from the entire fruit; it retains some of the fibre, minerals, and antioxidants of dates.

5. Coconut Sugar

Coconut sugar is made from the sap of the flowering buds of the coconut palm. The sap is gently heated to evaporate the water. As it thickens, it becomes a caramel-like syrup. This thick syrup is then cooled and crystallised. Once this solidifies, it is ground, and we get coconut sugar. 

Coconut sugar has a low glycemic load and is rich in, 

• Iron

• Calcium

• Zinc

• Potassium

• Polyphenols

• Phosphorus 

• Antioxidants

3. Wholesome Recipes With 5 Natural Sweeteners

Given below is a list of recipes that include the natural sweeteners mentioned above.

1. Honey-Lemon Immunity Drink

What Do You Need?

• 1 Glass of Warm Water

• 1 Tablespoon Multifloral Raw Honey

• 1 Teaspoon Lemon Juice 

• A Pinch of Cinnamon Powder 

How to Make It?

Step 1: Heat the water, but do not make it very hot. It should be warm.

Step 2: Add the honey, lemon juice and cinnamon powder to the warm water.

Step 3: Stir it all together and consume it on an empty stomach.

Why It’s Good?

Begin your day with this drink because it contains honey, which supports immunity and metabolism and lemon, which provides vitamin C.

2. Jaggery-coated Popcorn

What Do You Need?

• 3 Cups of Freshly Popped Popcorn 

• ½ Cup Jaggery Powder

• 1 Tablespoon Ghee

• 2 Tablespoons of Water 

• A Pinch of Himalayan Natives Pink Salt Powder  

• A Pinch of Cinnamon Powder 

Method

Step 1: In a pan, combine the jaggery powder, ghee, and water.

Step 2: On a low heat, allow the jaggery powder and ghee to melt and turn into a thick, bubbling syrup.

Step 3: Add a pinch of the pink salt powder and cinnamon powder.

Step 4: Immediately toss in the popcorn and mix it quickly, so that it is well-coated.

Step 5: Spread it on a tray and allow the popcorn to cool for at least 5 to 7 minutes before serving.

Why It’s Good?

Using jaggery powder in place of sugar for the syrup makes it a healthier option because it is rich in minerals and not processed.

3. Banana Bread

What Do You Need?

• 3 Bananas (Ripe & Mashed) 

• ½ Cup Yogurt 

• ¼ Cup Melted Butter 

• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Essence 

• 1 ½ Cups Flour 

• 1 to 2 Teaspoons Stevia 

• 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda 

• ½ Teaspoon Baking Powder

• A Pinch of Pink Salt Powder 

• Cinnamon and Walnuts or Choco Chips (Optional)

How to Make It?

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 175°C and line a loaf pan.

Step 2: In one bowl, whisk the mashed bananas, yogurt, butter, vanilla essence and stevia together.

Step 3: In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, pink salt powder and cinnamon together.

Step 4: Mix the wet and dry ingredients, until just combined, and avoid over-mixing the batter.

Step 5: If you are using cinnamon, walnuts or choco chips, fold them all in at this step.

Step 6: Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake it for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 7: Allow it to cool first and then slice it.

Why It’s Good?

This soft and moist Banana Bread is a guilt-free indulgence because it is made with stevia, which offers zero calories and does not spike your blood sugar levels.

4. Date Sugar Energy Bites

What Do You Need?

• 1 Cup Rolled Oats 

• ½ Cup Peanut Butter 

• ¼ Cup Date Syrup

• 2 Tablespoons Chia Seeds 

• 2 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder

How to Make It?

Step 1: Combine the oats, peanut butter, date sugar and chia seeds.

Step 2: Roll the mixture into small balls.

Step 3: Refrigerate it for at least 20 to 30 minutes before taking a bite of it.

Why It’s Good?

Date sugar contains fibre and minerals, making it a healthy and delicious guilt-free snack.

5. Oats Cookies

What Do You Need?

• 1 Cup Oats

• ½ Cup Whole Wheat Flour

• ¼ Cup Coconut Oil

• ¼ Cup Coconut Sugar

• ¼ Cup Yogurt

• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Essence 

• ½ Teaspoon Baking Powder

• A Pinch of Pink Salt Powder

• Choco Chips or Raisins (Optional)

How to Make It?

Step 1: Mix coconut oil, coconut sugar, yogurt and vanilla essence.

Step 2: Add oats, flour, baking powder and pink salt powder.

Step 3: If you are using the choco chips or raisins, fold them in at this stage.

Step 4: Scoop small portions onto a tray and flatten each cookie slightly. 

Step 5: Bake at 170°C for 12 to 15 minutes until they are lightly golden.

Why It’s Good?

Coconut sugar offers a lower glycemic index and is not processed, making it a great substitute for sugar in this recipe.

Final Thoughts

It’s not about eliminating sugar, but about making mindful choices. By choosing moderation and substituting processed sugars with natural sweeteners, you’ll be doing yourself a favour in the long run.

So, your goal for 2026 and all the years to come should be to choose wisely and choose natural, always!

For more such blogs on all things health and wellness, follow Himalayan Natives. 

Frequently Asked  Questions:

1. Are Natural Sweeteners A Healthier Alternative to Regular Sugar?

Answer: Raw honey, jaggery, stevia, date sugar, coconut sugar and other natural sweeteners are packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and enzymes, unlike regular sugar. This definitely makes them a healthier option.

2. Which Natural Sweetener Is the Best Among the Ones Mentioned Above?

Answer: You can experience natural sweeteners benefits with each of the natural sweeteners mentioned above. Therefore, the best one will depend on your taste and preference.

3. Can Natural Sweeteners Be Used in Cooking and Baking?

Answer: Yes, absolutely! Most of the natural sweeteners can be used in cooking, baking and even in beverages.

4. How Can I Begin My Journey With Natural Sweeteners?

Answer: You can start small by replacing white sugar with any of the natural sweeteners in your tea, coffee and while making your favourite baked goods.

5. Can You Consume Natural Sweeteners Daily?