Your cells use sugar from food as fuel. But if you eat too much sugar, your body may start craving sugar. Overconsumption of sugar has been linked to several health issues, such as weight gain, tooth decay and an increased heart rate. [1]
But avoiding sugar is easier said than done. It can be found in loads of foods, such as breakfast cereals, cookies, candies, protein bars and fruit drinks. Sugar also lurks in pantry staples you probably think are sugar-free, such as canned soups, bread, cured meats and ketchup.
Given how ubiquitous sugar is, it’s hardly surprising that the average American consumes roughly 17 teaspoons of sugar every day. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends limiting sugar intake to only 6 teaspoons per day. [2]
The good news is that there are many healthy sugar substitutes on the market. One such substitute is lucuma powder. This natural sweetener comes from the fruit of Pouteria lucuma, a tree native to South America.
The lucuma fruit has a hard, green outer shell. Its soft, yellow flesh has a dry texture. It has a sweet flavor that’s often described as a cross between sweet potato and butterscotch.
Dubbed the “gold of the Incas,” lucuma is traditionally used as a natural medicine in South America. The use of lucuma as medicine dates back to the 1800s, when it was considered a natural remedy to support healthy digestion. [3]
Lucuma is a great source of essential nutrients and has become a popular superfood because of its antioxidant properties.
But the lucuma fruit is a very delicate fruit that grows only in temperate climates. Since the lucuma tree doesn’t grow in the U.S., its fruit is typically sold in health food stores as a powder, pulp or puree. Lucuma powder is commonly used as a healthy substitute for sugar and other popular sweeteners.
The science-backed health benefits of lucuma powder
Thanks to its abundance of nutrients, lucuma powder offers the following health benefits:*
- Provides plenty of antioxidants
The lucuma fruit is packed with antioxidants like polyphenols and carotenoids. Antioxidants counteract free radicals, which are unstable, highly reactive molecules produced by cells as they create energy from the nutrients you get from foods. [4]
Free radicals can damage your cells and cause them to behave abnormally. Fortunately, polyphenols and carotenoids are efficient free radical scavengers that can help your body get rid of these harmful molecules and protect your cells from oxidative stress. [5]
Carotenoids are a class of plant pigments responsible for the red, yellow and orange hues of many fruits and vegetables. [6]
- Helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels
Despite its sweetness, lucuma powder’s glycemic index (GI) is very low. GI is a value assigned to foods based on how slowly or quickly they increase blood glucose levels. It helps people with diabetes or prediabetes to avoid foods with high GI scores as those could worsen their condition. [7]
High GI foods release glucose rapidly. In contrast, low GI foods like lucuma release glucose slowly and steadily. Hence, they can help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels that are already within the normal range. When included in a healthy diet and combined with regular exercise, they can also support sensible weight management plans.
- Supports healthy energy levels
Your blood glucose levels play a key role in how energized you feel and for how long you feel that way. High-GI foods tend to provide a quick burst of energy, whereas low-GI foods can help keep you energized for longer periods.
Sodas, candies, cookies, protein bars and energy drinks are high-GI foods, which is why they give you an intense burst of energy. But this is all too quickly followed by a sugar crash. That’s because high-GI foods cause blood glucose levels to plummet just as quickly as they spike.
As a low-GI ingredient, lucuma powder can support healthy energy levels and keep you invigorated throughout the day. You’re less likely to feel drained hours after consuming a dish or beverage sweetened with lucuma powder than after consuming something with refined sugar or artificial sweeteners.
- Provides an abundance of essential vitamins and minerals
Lucuma is a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, potassium and vitamin B3. It also contains just as much calcium as cow’s milk, gram per gram.
Calcium, magnesium and phosphorus are all minerals necessary for optimal bone growth and development. Calcium works with phosphorus to support strong bones and help keep them healthy, while magnesium helps regulate calcium levels inside the body. [8] [9] [10]
Meanwhile, sodium helps maintain the proper balance of water and minerals in your body. It also helps your muscles contract and relax. Vitamin B3, on the other hand, helps your body break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins and turn them into energy. [11] [12]
Where to get lab-verified organic lucuma powder
Organic lucuma powder is made by drying the fruit’s pulp and turning it into powder. You can get more nutrients from a single serving of lucuma powder than from eating a whole lucuma fruit because every kilogram (kg) of the powder contains about 4 kg of fresh fruit.
You can use lucuma powder as a natural sweetener for homemade pastries, drinks, smoothies and desserts like ice cream. Adding lucuma powder to your recipes is an easy way to boost your daily nutrient intake.
Groovy Bee Organic Lucuma Powder is a natural sugar substitute derived from the lucuma fruit, a Peruvian superfood that’s rich in essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B3, phosphorus and magnesium. It is also loaded with antioxidants like carotenoids and polyphenols that can help protect your cells from harmful free radicals.
Groovy Bee Organic Lucuma Powder is a low-GI sweetener, so it’s suitable even for those who are trying to control their blood sugar levels. Our premium organic lucuma powder also supports healthy energy levels and is easy to add to your favorite drinks or recipes. It dissolves easily in liquids, making it the perfect sweetener for your coffee, tea and smoothies. Its subtle sweetness also works well with desserts and homemade baked goods.
Groovy Bee Organic Lucuma Powder is vegan, non-GMO, non-China and gluten-free. It is also certified Kosher and organic. Our premium powder is extensively lab-tested by our Consumer Wellness Center Lab for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Here are three ways you can use Groovy Bee Organic Lucuma Powder in the kitchen:
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As a sugar substitute for baked goods –Groovy Bee Organic Lucuma Powder is a great natural alternative to brown sugar because it has a similar taste. But note that lucuma powder doesn’t absorb water as well as sugar, so your batter or dough may end up dry. When using organic lucuma powder for baking, add more water or milk as needed.
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As a natural sweetener for beverages – Stir Groovy Bee Organic Lucuma Powder into a glass of fresh fruit juice, green smoothie or protein shake. The sweet taste of lucuma powder also pairs well with bitter herbal teas or coffee. To sweeten a single serving of smoothie, use one to two tablespoons of lucuma powder.
- As a flavoring for oatmeal – Add a few teaspoons of Groovy Bee Organic Lucuma Powder to your oatmeal or yogurt to indulge your sweet tooth in a healthy way. Lucuma powder also makes a unique flavoring agent for homemade ice creams and sorbets.
Don’t miss out on the remarkable health benefits that this all-natural sweetener has to offer. Ditch unhealthy table sugar and switch to organic lucuma powder today!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any diseases.
References
[1] https://www.businessinsider.com/
[2] https://www.angelesinstitute.edu/
[3] https://www.livestrong.com
[4] https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/
[7] https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/
[8] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/
[9] https://www.healthline.com/
[10] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/
