What Sweetener Has No Glucose?

November 27, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a joint statement by the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association, non-nutritive sweeteners can help people with diabetes reduce their sugar intake when used appropriately. This guide explains what sweetener has no glucose and provides an overview of popular options for those monitoring their blood sugar.

Quick Summary

This article explores sweeteners that do not contain glucose, outlining various natural, artificial, and sugar alcohol options. It details how these alternatives function in the body without affecting blood sugar and discusses their different uses, benefits, and potential side effects.

Key Points

Zero Impact Sweeteners: Stevia, monk fruit, allulose, erythritol, and artificial sweeteners like sucralose provide sweetness without affecting blood glucose levels.
Read Labels Carefully: Many natural sweetener products are blended with other ingredients such as dextrose or erythritol, so checking the label for added sugars or fillers is crucial.
Consider Digestive Tolerance: Sugar alcohols like erythritol and xylitol can cause digestive discomfort if consumed in large quantities, especially for sensitive individuals.
Heat Stability for Baking: For recipes requiring heat, opt for heat-stable options like sucralose or allulose, as other sweeteners like aspartame lose their sweetness when heated.
Choose Based on Taste: The aftertaste varies significantly among sweeteners. Some people find stevia has a bitter note, while allulose is often praised for a cleaner taste.
Use in Moderation: While non-caloric, all sweeteners should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, and their long-term health impacts are still being studied.

The Core Difference Between Glucose and Non-Glucose Sweeteners

Glucose, a simple sugar, is the body's primary source of energy. When consumed, it causes a rapid spike in blood sugar levels, triggering an insulin response. For individuals managing diabetes or following a low-carb diet, finding sweeteners that provide taste without this glycemic impact is crucial. Sweeteners that have no glucose either contain compounds that are intensely sweet but not metabolized for energy, or they are sugar alcohols that are poorly absorbed by the body. This metabolic difference is what makes them suitable alternatives to table sugar.

Natural Sweeteners with No Glucose

Several sweeteners derived from natural sources offer sweetness without glucose. These are particularly popular among those seeking less processed alternatives.

Stevia: Sourced from the leaves of the Stevia rebaudiana plant, this sweetener contains compounds called steviol glycosides. These glycosides are 200–300 times sweeter than sugar but are not metabolized by the body, resulting in zero calories and no effect on blood glucose. While pure stevia has a low glycemic impact, it can have a bitter aftertaste. Many commercial products blend it with other ingredients, like erythritol or dextrose, so checking the label is essential.
Monk Fruit: The extract from the monk fruit, or lo han guo, gets its intense sweetness from antioxidants called mogrosides. Like stevia, these compounds are not processed by the body for energy, giving monk fruit extract zero calories and no effect on blood glucose levels. It is heat-stable and often mixed with other ingredients to balance its sweetness, so product labels should be reviewed carefully.
Allulose: A "rare sugar" found in small amounts in some fruits like figs and raisins, allulose is structurally similar to fructose but is not metabolized by the body. It provides only about 10% of the calories of regular sugar and has no impact on blood glucose or insulin levels. Allulose is unique in that it behaves like sugar in many recipes, browning and caramelizing, though high doses can cause gastrointestinal distress.

Artificial Sweeteners with No Glucose

These lab-made sweeteners provide intense sweetness with no calories or glycemic impact. They are rigorously tested and approved by health agencies for consumption in moderation.

Sucralose (Splenda): Made from sugar by replacing hydroxyl groups with chlorine atoms, sucralose is not metabolized by the body. It is heat-stable and about 600 times sweeter than sugar. While it generally does not affect blood sugar in most healthy individuals, some studies suggest it may impact insulin sensitivity in certain populations who are not regular users.
Aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet): Composed of two amino acids (aspartic acid and phenylalanine), aspartame is about 200 times sweeter than sugar. It is not heat-stable and breaks down at high temperatures, making it unsuitable for baking. It has no effect on blood glucose, but those with the genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) must avoid it due to its phenylalanine content.
Saccharin (Sweet'N Low): One of the oldest artificial sweeteners, saccharin contains no calories or glucose. Despite past concerns, it is not considered a cancer risk in humans. It is commonly found in diet sodas and tabletop sweeteners.

Sugar Alcohols (Polyols)

Not actual sugar or alcohol, polyols are carbohydrates that are poorly digested by the body. This incomplete absorption leads to fewer calories and a minimal effect on blood glucose.

Erythritol: Produced by fermenting glucose, erythritol is mostly absorbed into the bloodstream and excreted in the urine without being metabolized. It provides very few calories and has a glycemic index of zero, making it suitable for low-carb and diabetic diets. High intake can cause gastrointestinal issues.
Xylitol: Found in many fruits and vegetables, xylitol has a sweetness similar to sugar. It has dental health benefits but, like other sugar alcohols, can cause digestive upset in large amounts. It is highly toxic to dogs and should be kept away from pets.

Comparison Table: Non-Glucose Sweeteners


Sweetener	Type	Glucose Impact	Calories	Pros	Cons
Stevia	Natural (Plant-based)	Zero	Zero	No calories, natural origin, low GI	Can have a bitter aftertaste; commercial versions may contain fillers
Monk Fruit	Natural (Fruit-based)	Zero	Zero	No calories, no aftertaste, antioxidant properties	Can be expensive; often blended with other sweeteners
Allulose	Rare Sugar	Zero	Minimal	Browns like sugar, 70% as sweet, minimal calories	Potential digestive issues at high doses; limited long-term research
Sucralose	Artificial	Zero	Zero	Heat-stable, very sweet, widely available	Debate over long-term effects on gut microbiome and metabolism
Erythritol	Sugar Alcohol	Zero	Minimal	Zero GI, mild taste, dental benefits	Possible link to cardiovascular risk requires more research; digestive upset in large amounts
Aspartame	Artificial	Zero	Minimal	Widely used, provides flavor intensity	Not heat-stable for baking; requires avoidance by individuals with PKU

How to Choose the Right Sweetener for You

Selecting the best sweetener depends on your personal preferences and health goals. For baking, heat-stable options like sucralose or allulose are most suitable, though they may not provide the same bulk as sugar. If you prefer natural origins, stevia and monk fruit are excellent choices, but you may need to experiment to find a blend you enjoy. Taste sensitivity is another important factor, as some individuals find certain sweeteners leave an aftertaste. For those with digestive sensitivities, limiting sugar alcohols like erythritol and xylitol is wise. The most important step is to read the ingredient labels to be aware of what other compounds might be included in a blended product.

Conclusion: Navigating Sweeteners Beyond Glucose

Many safe and effective sweetener options exist that provide sweetness without containing glucose. These alternatives, ranging from natural plant-based extracts like stevia and monk fruit to artificial compounds and sugar alcohols, offer viable solutions for managing blood sugar and calorie intake. The best choice ultimately comes down to individual needs, preferences, and how your body responds. Regardless of the sweetener, moderation remains key to maintaining overall health. Always check product labels, especially for blends, and consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary advice. Mayo Clinic's Guide to Artificial Sweeteners

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, monk fruit sweetener has no glucose. Its sweetness comes from compounds called mogrosides, which the body does not metabolize for energy, resulting in zero calories and no effect on blood sugar.

No, pure stevia does not contain glucose. Its sweetening compounds are steviol glycosides. However, many commercial stevia products contain additives like dextrose, so it is important to read the ingredient list carefully.

Several sweeteners are keto-friendly and have no glucose, including stevia, monk fruit, allulose, and erythritol. These options do not raise blood sugar and are compatible with a ketogenic diet.

No, erythritol has a glycemic index of zero and does not affect blood sugar. Most of it is absorbed into the bloodstream and excreted in the urine without being metabolized by the body.

The safety of artificial sweeteners is a subject of ongoing debate. While approved by regulatory agencies in moderate amounts, some observational studies suggest links to altered gut bacteria or metabolic effects, though these findings are often debated and require more long-term research.

Yes, but not all non-glucose sweeteners are suitable for baking. Heat-stable options like sucralose, allulose, and erythritol are commonly used. Some, like aspartame, lose their sweetness when exposed to high heat.

There is no single 'best' option, as it depends on individual needs. Stevia and monk fruit are popular natural choices, while allulose and erythritol are also excellent non-glycemic options. The American Diabetes Association acknowledges non-nutritive sweeteners as tools for reducing sugar intake.

No. While options like stevia and monk fruit are non-glycemic, other 'natural' sweeteners like agave nectar, honey, and maple syrup contain fructose and glucose and will affect blood sugar, though often at a lower rate than table sugar.