Brown Sugar or White Sugar, which has more nutrients

We all know that brown rice is better than white rice, brown bread is better than white bread. But does this pattern extend to sugar as well? Let's investigate.

Table of Contents

• Nutritional differences between Brown Sugar and White Sugar:
• What causes the color difference? 
• According to the Sugar Association, producers produce all sugar by squeezing the juice from sugar beet or sugar cane plants. The raw sugar is cleaned, crystallised, and dried throughout manufacture.
• Risks of eating too much sugar:
• Can a diabetic eat brown sugar?
• Which sugar is better for shedding pounds?
• Nutritious sweeteners:
• Conclusion:

Nutritional differences between Brown Sugar and White Sugar:

• White and brown sugar contain similar calories. Brown sugar contains 380 calories per 100 grams (g), while white sugar contains 385 calories per 100g.

• Brown Sugar is equally high in carbohydrates. However, unlike white sugar, which is considered to have empty calories, brown sugar contains some traces of micronutrients like iron, calcium, zinc, copper, potassium, phosphorus, and vitamin B-6. So, more or less, they are similar in nutritional profile.

However, per teaspoon, the tiny differences in these mineral amounts are not worthy of consideration, as sugar is not a nutrient-dense food.

What causes the color difference? 

According to the Sugar Association, producers produce all sugar by squeezing the juice from sugar beet or sugar cane plants. The raw sugar is cleaned, crystallised, and dried throughout manufacture.

During the production process, manufacturers separate sugar crystals from molasses, a thick, dark brown syrup naturally present in sugar beet and sugar cane.

While sugar beet molasses is not as sweet as sugar cane molasses and is used in various industries and animal feed, the former has a sweet flavour. Sugar's colour, flavour, and moisture content are all influenced by the molasses content. This cuisine has a richer colour and flavour due to the addition of additional molasses.

Risks of eating too much sugar:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that eating too much added sugar exposes the body to a wide range of illnesses, including high blood pressure, obesity, and heart problems. 

Therefore, whether you consume white sugar or brown sugar in excess, doing so can be harmful to your health.

Can a diabetic eat brown sugar?

Brown sugar and white sugar both have a comparable nutritional profile. Therefore, it is not recommended for a diabetic to consistently consume brown sugar. They can most certainly consume it in moderation in their preferred desserts and beverages.

Which sugar is better for shedding pounds?

When calorie content is taken into account, brown sugar is a superior option for weight loss because it has a lower calorie count than white sugar. If you want to reduce your intake of sugar, there are alternatives that can be a great decision. The weight loss aids stevia, jaggery, honey, and maple syrup are all excellent choices.

Nutritious sweeteners:

There are a variety of nutritious alternatives on the market if you want to cut sugar out of your diet. You can use coconut sugar or stevia, which are both similar in flavour and look. Some alternatives to sugar in your diet include maple syrup, honey, and agave nectar. Shakkar or jaggery is the greatest choice if you want to stop using white sugar. Shakkar is unprocessed and full of vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, zinc, and potassium. Jaggery can also be used to sweeten drinks or sweets.

Conclusion:

No sweetener can be categorised as better or healthier if it is consumed in big amounts. So, moderation is the key. Whether you utilise white sugar or brown sugar, it's best to do it carefully. Any sweetener in excess, whether it be honey, jaggery, shakkar, or maple syrup, can be bad for your body. You can use any sweetener of your choosing as long as your consumption stays within reasonable bounds.