If sugar is the 'new tobacco'... what are the alternatives?

• Refined sugar, sucrose, is made up of two molecules, glucose and fructose
• Fructose excess converts to fatty acids and causes unhealthy reactions
• Here we examine an array of healthier natural sugar substitutes

Given this week's headlines describing it as the 'new tobacco', you might be forgiven for thinking sugar is toxic - but in fact we simply need to moderate our intake.

'Refined table sugar, sucrose, is made up of two molecules - glucose and fructose,' says nutritionist Laura Thomas. 'Glucose is absorbed and used by all organs, while fructose is metabolised only by the liver. Our bodies can deal with only small amounts - an excess converts to fatty acids and causes biochemical reactions detrimental to our health.'

Here we examine an array of natural sugar substitutes that can contain fewer calories, and act in different ways when broken down during digestion. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2537679/If-sugar-new-tobacco-alternatives.html