# Natural Sweeteners Explained: Dates, Honey, Maple, Sugar, and Coconut
The 2026 mindful-sweetener wave — dates, honey, maple syrup, cane sugar, and coconut — explained as old agricultural sweeteners, not new wellness inventions.
Canonical URL: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/collections/natural-sweeteners-explained
Primary topic: Natural Sweeteners
Updated: 2026-07-20
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Sources & References:
1. Whole Foods Market “Top Food Trends 2026.” Collection source https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/trends
2. Sidney W. Mintz “Sweetness and Power: The Place of Sugar in Modern History.” Collection source https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/322308/sweetness-and-power-by-sidney-w-mintz/
3. Alan Davidson “The Oxford Companion to Food.” Collection source https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-oxford-companion-to-food-9780199677337
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