October 9, 2024

Meet Allulose: A Sugar Alternative That's Actually Healthier Than Sugar

Ever tried shopping for Delta-9 edibles but found that the macros just don’t fit your dietary needs? Well, for all those looking for a sugary, euphoric treat but trying to avoid the actual sugar, allulose sweetener has become an increasingly popular alternative. Derived from natural sources, allulose is nearly as sweet as the real deal and has virtually no calories.

But maybe you haven't heard about allulose because this "rare sugar" is also a pretty new option. Let the following serve as your introduction to allulose, including how it impacts blood sugar and its other dietary benefits.

What Is Allulose?

Allulose is a low-calorie sweetener found naturally in small amounts in certain foods like jackfruit, maple syrup, raisins, and wheat. Unlike other sugar substitutes, like aspartame, stevia, and erythritol, allulose tastes great, has minimal impact on blood glucose levels, is comparably as sweet as regular sugar, and yet contains just 10 percent of the calories of table sugar.

Allulose, often called “rare sugar,” has such low-calorie content because of how our body metabolizes it. Unlike regular sugar, allulose is absorbed in the small intestine but isn’t metabolized for energy, which means it contributes minimal calories to your daily diet. Studies have shown that allulose provides only about 0.4 calories per gram, compared to four calories per gram in table sugar.

So, allulose is one of the superior sugar alternatives because it provides the perfect serving of sweetness without the calories. Functionally, this means it has a glycemic index close to zero. It can help people reduce their calorie intake, keep blood sugar levels in range, and enjoy a guilt-free sweet treat.

What Are the Benefits of Allulose?

man who abides by a healthy lifestyle drinking coffee in his home

Virtually Calorie-Free

One tablespoon of regular white sugar contains 15 grams of carbohydrates and 60 calories. By comparison, one tablespoon of allulose sweetener has ten percent of this—0.5 grams of carbohydrates and a grand total of two calories.

Whether you are just trying to cut back on sugar for your health or counting calories to lose weight, allulose is an all-natural, low-calorie swap.

Easily Swaps for Sugar

Not all sugar alternatives are made alike. If you’ve ever tried to sweeten your morning coffee with stevia or bake with an artificial sweetener, you know these are not easy swaps. Some are excessively sweet, some leave a bad taste in your mouth, while others just don't function the same way when mixed into a recipe.

But allulose is different. This natural sweetener’s unique molecular structure means it behaves like regular table sugar, whether you bake, freeze, or make an edible. It’s also comparatively sweet to regular sugar. So, unlike stevia, which is about 200 to 350 times sweeter than sugar, allulose is essentially a one-to-one swap.

Naturally Occurring

Many of the most common sweeteners today, including aspartame, acesulfame potassium, saccharin, and sucralose, are technically artificial and not found in nature.

While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved these artificial sweeteners, there are some health concerns tied to them. The good news is that allulose occurs naturally in certain foods like figs, raisins, maple syrup, and wheat. It can also be made through a process starting with corn starch or sugar beets. It is FDA-approved, and in numerous clinical trials and placebo-controlled studies, it is widely found to be safe, with notable health benefits.

Diabetes-Friendly

Because the digestive tract absorbs and processes this ingredient, it’s not converted into energy and doesn’t spike blood sugar. Allulose sweeteners have become an excellent alternative for anyone trying to manage their blood sugar.

Several major studies have examined its impact on diabetes, finding that it's not just an alternative that people can use instead of sugar; it could even provide protective and stabilizing benefits as well.

How Allulose Affects Blood Sugar Levels

man checking his blood sugar levels using a device

When you eat something containing sugar, your digestive tract quickly breaks it down into glucose and other simple sugars. The glucose is then absorbed into the bloodstream through the small intestine, and blood sugar levels begin to rise. In response to the rising blood glucose, the pancreas releases insulin, which helps cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream.

Anyone with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance faces issues with insufficient insulin production and sometimes reduced insulin sensitivity. Their body's blood sugar regulatory system doesn’t stabilize levels as it normally should, leading to spikes and other serious health issues.

So, how does allulose affect blood sugar levels? In short, it doesn’t. Again, this is because it's processed differently than regular sugar. Our bodies don’t convert it into energy (glucose). Because of this, its glycemic index is close to zero.

Researchers have also discovered that allulose may have a productive effect by reducing blood glucose spikes after meals. Studies have found it could offer a protective effect on pancreatic insulin secretion. For example, in one study, when 5 to 10 grams of allulose were added to a carbohydrate-rich meal, participants had significantly lower blood glucose levels 30 minutes after eating compared to a placebo.

Who Could Benefit from Allulose?

woman enjoying a bowl of healthy low-sugar food on her couch

Anyone on a Diet

With 10x fewer calories per serving than regular sugar, allulose is the perfect alternative for anyone who can resist a sweet treat but is also looking to keep daily calories low. Whether you are counting calories to lose weight or as part of a strength training protocol, it’s a perfect sugar-free sweetener.

Anyone cutting down on sugar:

Whether cutting back on sugar as a general wellness goal or for a more specific health concern, chances are you’ll need a sweet alternative. Allulose functions similarly to sugar, but without the glycemic implications, it is one of the easiest dietary swaps.

Anyone on a Keto Diet

Although allulose is technically a carbohydrate, it's still low in net carbs. Because of this, and because it doesn't raise blood sugar levels, it's the perfect solution for ketogenic diets.

Anyone with Insulin Sensitivity or Insufficient Production

While several big-name artificial sweeteners already exist, allulose's all-natural origins and unique characteristics make it an increasingly preferred alternative. It can help people manage blood sugar levels without spiking insulin, offering a safer sweetener option.

Is Allulose Safe?

Yes, allulose is safe to use as a sugar alternative. After all, the FDA has approved it, which means they officially designated it as “generally recognized as safe" — when used as intended. As with anything, it's safe when used in practical amounts under normal conditions (like regular sugar).

And unlike aspartame and erythitol which were recently found to increase the risk of blood clotting and cardiovascular disease among healthy individuals, allulose poses no risk to heart health and in fact, has demonstrated neuroprotective properties in some studies.

Enjoy the Sweet Life: THC Edibles with Allulose

prickly pear next to a bag of sugar free THC edibles and a gummy

For anyone watching their sugar intake — or cutting it out altogether —there are tons of options for sugar-free sodas and alternative sweeteners for baking, but what about edibles? For all your sugar-free infused experiences, check out the growing lineup of sugar-free edibles from Hometown Hero.

While most of our award-winning edibles are sweetened with natural cane sugar, we know it’s hard to find options for THC edibles that can fit in with low-sugar diets. So, we’re taking all your favorite THC-infused goodies and adding new sugar-free options. From our cannabis tinctures to our pills and capsules to our NEW sugar-free gummies, there’s an option for every cannabis enthusiast.

With our latest release, you can get a blissful edible experience without sugar thanks to the perfect serving of all-natural sweetness from allulose. Infused with 25 milligrams of hemp-derived Delta-9 THC and live rosin concentrate from the hybrid White Widow cannabis strain, these Prickly Pear-flavored edibles are sweetened with allulose for a balanced sugar-free indulgence.

Until next time, happy exploring and Mind Your Mind.

FDA Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.