Allulose vs. Classic Sugars
Allulose is a naturally occurring rare sugar that offers the sweet taste of classic sugar but with nearly no calories or glycaemic impact. Unlike glucose and fructose, which are rapidly absorbed and contribute to blood sugar spikes and fat storage, allulose is absorbed by the small intestine but not metabolised for energy. It is mostly excreted in the urine.
In contrast, classic sugar (sucrose) is a high-calorie disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose. It is fully digested, rapidly absorbed, and contributes directly to increased blood glucose, insulin spikes, fat accumulation, and the development of insulin resistance. These effects are especially concerning for people with metabolic conditions or those aiming to reduce their sugar intake.
Allulose
- ~0.2 kcal/g (very low calorie)
- Does not raise blood sugar or insulin
- Excreted via urine with minimal metabolism
- Suitable for keto, diabetic, and low-carb diets
- Tastes like sugar with no bitter aftertaste
- Supports fat reduction and liver health
- No known impact on tooth decay
- Gut-friendly and well tolerated
Classic Sugar
- 4 kcal/g (high calorie)
- Causes blood sugar and insulin spikes
- Fully metabolised and stored as fat
- Incompatible with low-glycaemic or ketogenic diets
- Sweet taste but fuels metabolic dysfunction
- Promotes fat storage and liver stress
- Contributes to cavities and dental plaque
- Excessive intake may lead to inflammation or GI upset
How can I use allulose?
Allulose behaves like sugar in taste and function — it browns, bulks, and blends like sucrose — but with far fewer metabolic consequences.
It provides around 70% of the sweetness of table sugar, without the bitter or artificial aftertaste seen in many other sweeteners.
Your Personal Sugar Strategy
One of the challenges when replacing classic sugars, with Dr Coy’s healthy sugars, is that they have different properties:
- Some are great for baking, others are better for ice-cream.
- Some taste super sweet, others much less so.
- Some have the same calories as classic sugars, others have less.
Also, we each have different needs when it comes to energy, and preferred levels of sweetness:
- An athlete needs more energy than an office worker.
- Some people prefer sweeter tastes.
- Weight loss and diabetes also have unique metabolic needs.
So, to make it easier, Dr. Coy developed sugar mixtures based on personal and functional needs.
References
- Health.com – “Allulose: What You Need to Know” (2022)
- Nutritional Outlook – “Allulose Attenuates Postprandial Glycemic and Insulinemic Response” (2021)
