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Sweetener Comparison Chart

Our handy sweetness chart makes it easy to compare the sweetness levels of various NOW sweeteners compared to table sugar, as well as their glycemic impact. In this table you’ll find two different glycemic measurements – glycemic index and glycemic impact.

Glycemic index measures how different types of carbohydrate-containing foods raise blood glucose levels within two hours of ingestion. Low glycemic index is considered to be less than 55, medium falls between 56 and 69, and a high glycemic index is a rating of 70 or more.

Glycemic impact is a more consumer-friendly method of rating foods based on their effect on blood glucose levels, using low, medium and high to rate the overall glycemic impact of various foods.

Sweetener 
Agave Nectar
Sweetness Compared To Table Sugar1½ times sweeter
Glycemic Index10-19
Glycemic Impact*Low
Keto Friendly 
Allulose
Sweetness Compared To Table Sugar70% the sweetness
Glycemic Index 
Glycemic Impact*Low
Keto Friendly
Coconut Sugar
Sweetness Compared To Table SugarSame
Glycemic Index35-42
Glycemic Impact*Low
Keto Friendly 
Date Sugar
Sweetness Compared To Table SugarSame
Glycemic Index103
Glycemic Impact*High
Keto Friendly 
Dextrose Sugar
Sweetness Compared To Table Sugar¾ the sweetness
Glycemic Index100
Glycemic Impact*High
Keto Friendly 
Erythritol
Sweetness Compared To Table Sugar60-70% the sweetness
Glycemic Index0
Glycemic Impact*Low
Keto Friendly
Fructose
Sweetness Compared To Table SugarMore than 1½ times sweeter
Glycemic Index19
Glycemic Impact*Low
Keto Friendly 
Honey
Sweetness Compared To Table SugarApproximately the same
Glycemic Index50-80
Glycemic Impact*Medium to High
Keto Friendly 
Lactose
Sweetness Compared To Table SugarLess than ¼ the sweetness
Glycemic Index46
Glycemic Impact*Low
Keto Friendly 
Maple Syrup
Sweetness Compared To Table Sugar½ the sweetness
Glycemic Index54
Glycemic Impact*Low
Keto Friendly 
Monk Fruit
Sweetness Compared To Table Sugar150 to 200 times sweeter
Glycemic Index0
Glycemic Impact*Low
Keto Friendly
Stevia
Sweetness Compared To Table SugarUp to 300 times sweeter
Glycemic Index0
Glycemic Impact*Low
Keto Friendly
Sucanat®
Sweetness Compared To Table SugarSame
Glycemic Index65
Glycemic Impact*Medium
Keto Friendly 
Xylitol
Sweetness Compared To Table SugarSame
Glycemic Index7
Glycemic Impact*Low
Keto Friendly
*Low Glycemic Index is considered to be <55, Medium is 56-69 and High is 70 and greater.
Sweetener  Sweetness Compared To Table Sugar Glycemic Index Glycemic Impact* Keto Friendly
Agave Nectar 1½ times sweeter 10-19 Low  
Allulose 70% the sweetness   Low
Coconut Sugar Same 35-42 Low  
Date Sugar Same 103 High  
Dextrose Sugar ¾ the sweetness 100 High  
Erythritol 60-70% the sweetness 0 Low
Fructose More than 1½ times sweeter 19 Low  
Honey Approximately the same 50-80 Medium to High  
Lactose Less than ¼ the sweetness 46 Low  
Maple Syrup ½ the sweetness 54 Low  
Monk Fruit 150 to 200 times sweeter 0 Low
Stevia Up to 300 times sweeter 0 Low
Sucanat® Same 65 Medium  
Xylitol Same 7 Low
*Low Glycemic Index is considered to be <55, Medium is 56-69 and High is 70 and greater.