The Healthiest Sugars, Ranked (2026)

Best sugars right now

Just Date Sugar : Organic Sugar Substitute Made 93/100
Scout's analysis: This product is made from organic upcycled dates, which are minimally processed and retain the natural fiber and nutrients of whole dates. It serves as a healthier…
365 Whole Foods Market Organic Dark Maple Syrup 88/100
Scout's analysis: 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Dark Maple Syrup scores 88/100, highlighting its pure maple syrup content as a beneficial ingredient with no harmful substances. This…
Aldi Maple Syrup 88/100
Scout's analysis: Aldi Maple Syrup scores 88/100, indicating a high-quality product with no harmful substances or beneficial ingredients. This pure maple syrup serves as a natural…

What to skip

Mrs. Butterworth's Original Pancake Syrup 3/100
Scout's analysis: Mrs. Butterworth's Original Pancake Syrup scores 3/100. High Fructose Corn Syrup is the very first ingredient, followed by corn syrup — two forms of heavily refined…
Pearl Milling Company Butter Rich Syrup 3/100
Scout's analysis: Pearl Milling Company Butter Rich Syrup scores 3/100. Contains zero maple syrup and zero butter despite the name 'Butter Rich.' The first two ingredients are Corn Syrup…
Log Cabin Original Syrup - 24 fl oz 10/100
Scout's analysis: This syrup is heavily processed, containing high levels of corn syrup and refined sugar, which contribute to its high glycemic index and potential negative health…

Ingredients to watch in sugars

The flagged ingredients that show up most often across these 18 products. Each link opens Scout's analysis of the ingredient.

Corn syrup in 3 of 18
Sodium hexametaphosphate in 3 of 18
Caramel color in 3 of 18
Cane Sugar in 2 of 18
Brown Sugar in 2 of 18
Sodium benzoate in 2 of 18

What the better sugars have in common

Maple syrup in 4 of 18

Common questions about sugars

What scores highest in sugars on Scout?

Just Date Sugar : Organic Sugar Substitute Made leads Scout's sugars ranking at 93/100, followed by 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Dark Maple Syrup (88) and Aldi Maple Syrup (88). Scores compare products within the category on ingredients, processing, packaging and any lab results.

What should I avoid in sugars?

Mrs. Butterworth's Original Pancake Syrup scores 3/100, the lowest of the 18 products Scout has analyzed in sugars; next lowest are Pearl Milling Company Butter Rich Syrup (3) and Log Cabin Original Syrup - 24 fl oz (10). Each product page lists the ingredients behind the number.

What drags scores down in sugars?

Across these 18 products the most common flagged ingredients are Corn syrup, Sodium hexametaphosphate, Caramel color, Cane Sugar, Brown Sugar, Sodium benzoate. Each appears in at least two of the products ranked here.

How does Scout score sugars?

Every product in sugars gets one 1–100 score for comparison within its category: the full ingredient list judged by a category-specific framework, the published processing level, the packaging, and any credible lab results. Lab results are disclosed, not scored. Scout takes no payment for scores or placement.

How Scout scores sugars

One 1–100 score per product, judged within its category: every ingredient on the label through a category-specific framework, the published processing level, the packaging, and any credible lab results. No brand pays for a score or a position on this list. Read the full methodology →

Sugars