A dry edible sugar-based sweetener composition in the form of a granular or powdered material containing a first quantity of at least one natural sugar combined with a second quantity of polyphenolic antioxidants (aka phenolic antioxidants, measured as gallic acid equivalents). The phenolic antioxidants are provided by at least one dry water-soluble extract purified from edible fruit and/or vegetable material, in which the ratio of the second quantity to the first quantity is preferably between 0.5% and 10% by weight.