White or brown sugar - which is healthier? What is the difference between brown sugar and white sugar?

If you actively follow research in the field proper nutrition, then you inevitably come across information about the dangers of refined sugar. In the wake of criticism of this well-known product, brown sugar came to the fore several years ago, which is credited with truly miraculous properties.

Many manufacturers claim that raw brown sugar is rich in vitamins. In addition, it is believed that it is absorbed more slowly and does not contribute to weight gain. excess weight. Agree that it sounds wonderful. Add brown sugar instead of white sugar to your favorite desserts, and you won't gain weight.

But you should not unconditionally trust the information of manufacturers, because their main goal is to sell a more expensive product, which is brown sugar. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the basic facts regarding this controversial product and draw your own conclusions about the advisability of using it in your daily diet.

What is brown sugar made from?

The difference between the white sugar that we are all accustomed to and brown sugar is not only in color. A significant portion of the sugar on store shelves is made from sugar beets or sugar cane. With production brown sugar the situation is more complicated.

Brown sugar can only be cane sugar. This is due to the technology of its purification. The fact is that beet sugar, when not fully processed, has an unpleasant taste and an even more unpleasant odor, so it is unlikely that anyone will want to add it to tea.

While cane sugar, even if not refined, has a characteristic sweet taste and a very recognizable smell of molasses. But brown sugar owes its brown color to molasses, which remains on the surface of the crystals.

Brown sugar is healthier than white sugar

The answer to this statement is quite obvious. Brown sugar is indeed healthier, but not because of its special properties or low calorie content. There is a law here that is also characteristic of other products with varying degrees of processing.

The less processed a product is, the more vitamins it retains, and raw sugar is no exception. However, you should not hope that the norm of sugar that is usual for most people will replenish the daily supply of vitamins and minerals. Here it is better to rely on an extra portion of fruits or berries.

Brown sugar has less calories

The information that brown sugar has lower calorie content is, unfortunately, a myth. This is the same simple carbohydrate, the calorie content of which is about 400 kilocalories per 100 grams of product.

The process of insulin release that is triggered by eating brown sugar is no different from the same process when using white sugar. This means that if you switch to brown sugar in hopes of losing weight, you will gain weight just as easily as before.

Real brown sugar is hard to find

If you have ever tried real brown sugar, you are unlikely to confuse it with burnt fake sugar. Well, for those who are just discovering this product, we have prepared some tips that will help you buy high-quality brown sugar, and not colored refined sugar.

First of all, give preference to trusted manufacturers who have been on the market for a long time and have managed to gain a good reputation. In addition, if you decide to switch to this type of sugar, do not skimp. Brown sugar is more expensive to produce, so the final price the consumer pays is higher than when purchasing white sugar.

Brown sugar does not color water

For a long time plain water used to detect counterfeit brown sugar. It was believed that if it changed color, it means the sugar was artificially colored. Unfortunately, this is not the case, and it is impossible to determine a fake in this way.

We have already mentioned that the upper layers of brown sugar crystals contain molasses, which quickly dissolves in water and also quite easily, like any dye, colors it dark. That is why this test is not reliable and, when buying brown sugar, we can only trust the “unrefined” label and focus on the price of the product and the reputation of the company.

But we’ll give you a little hint: brown sugar is not produced in Russia, although it is sometimes packaged. So pay special attention to this point when choosing brown sugar.

Natural cane sugar is included in the list of dietary sources of carbohydrates. It has been obtained from sugar cane since ancient times in India, from where it spread throughout the globe thanks to merchants and conquerors. In Russia, benefits and harms cane sugar have not been studied for a long time. Now it is gaining more and more popularity among adherents of proper nutrition. It is believed that it has much more beneficial properties and causes much less harm than its beet counterpart.

What is the difference between cane sugar and regular sugar?

Unlike beetroot, cane contains 20 times more potassium, 10 times more iron and as much as 85 times more calcium. The composition also contains magnesium, which is necessary for the body, which is not present at all in beets, and the amount of copper is almost the same as in oysters!

Cane sugar contains B vitamins, which improve metabolism and ensure the normal functioning of the entire body.

The difference is noticeable even in culinary terms. Cane sugar has the taste and color of caramel, which true gourmets appreciate. Dishes acquire a refined and delicate caramel flavor and aroma. They especially highlight the taste of drinks and sauces.

The brown color is due to the presence of molasses (black molasses), which is a source of useful microelements and even proteins. The darker the color, the more molasses it contains and the more beneficial the properties. In this regard, black cane sugar is especially popular.

Both varieties have almost the same energy value(about 400 kcal), however, beetroot loses to cane, which supplies unique substances that are beneficial. The latter, among other things, refers to slow carbohydrates and does not cause significant harm: in this case it is impossible to gain weight or get an overdose of glucose.

Which sugar is sweeter: cane or beet sugar?

It is believed that cane sugar is sweeter than beet sugar. However, according to GOST, any sweetener produced in factories consists almost entirely of sucrose, which determines the degree of sweetness.

Apart from the differences in the content of useful components, the composition of both options is the same. The only difference is the area of ​​their contact with the taste buds. Cane sweetener crystals are larger in size, which makes it taste sweeter when you put it in your mouth. But if you dissolve it in tea or coffee, the degree of sweetness will be the same as regular one.

Types of cane sugar

In order to choose cane sugar, you need to know the manufacturing process and the differences between the varieties of this source of carbohydrates.

Based on the manufacturing principle, they are distinguished:

1. Refined (white), that is, it has undergone a refining procedure: turning into syrup, filtration, evaporation and drying.
2. Unrefined(brown), that is, practically not subjected to cleaning. This is the type that is most often consumed, because the benefits of unrefined cane sugar are explained by the high content of molasses.

Types of Brown Sugar:

• Muscovado sugar: has a distinct caramel aroma, honey color and slightly moist, sticky medium-sized crystals, native to South America and Mauritius.
• Demerara sugar: has hard and sticky crystals of golden shades, grows in South America and is called the Demerara River, as it began to come to the world market from this area.
• H black reed(Soft molasses sugar): contains a large amount of molasses and is very dark in color, has the softest and stickiest crystals, and rich taste and the aroma of reed.
• Turbinado sugar: Turbinado sugar: turbine or centrifuge processed with water and steam to remove impurities and contaminants, has dry, large crystals ranging from honey to brown in color and comes primarily from Hawaii.
• Gur: a special type originating from India, is a condensed sugarcane juice that is squeezed out very slowly and retains its beneficial features; in color and consistency it is similar to soft sherbet.

Composition and calorie content of cane sugar

This type of sugar is an excellent calorizer that will not cause much harm to your figure. It contains a significant proportion of microelements and vitamins valuable properties. In terms of the content of calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus and zinc, it surpasses all similar products, so its benefits cannot be overestimated. For example, in Western countries, dark sugar is used by vegetarians as a source of iron and magnesium.

Energy value:

• proteins ≈ 0.70 g;
• fats – 0 g;
• carbohydrates ≈ 96 g.

Cane sugar contains slightly fewer calories than regular sugar. The calorie content of one hundred grams is 377–398 kcal.

Benefits of Brown Cane Sugar

Dark cane sweetener supplies carbohydrates that are necessary for the synthesis of special hormones, without which most biological processes cannot proceed normally. In addition to carbohydrates, it supplies the body with B vitamins and a host of important microelements that bring enormous health benefits. In total it contains about two hundred useful substances, thanks to the properties of which:

• the brain and nervous system function better;
• blood pressure is normalized;
• bones and joints are strengthened;
• metabolism improves and is regulated;
• strength and energy appear;
• toxins are removed from tissues;
• digestion improves;
• the work of the liver and spleen is stimulated;
• the functioning of the cardiovascular system is stabilized.

Among other things, cane sugar can also be consumed in moderation when losing weight, since the beneficial components included in the composition are transformed into energy without turning into fatty compounds. Thus, it can be included in the menu of any diet and sports nutrition. Another plus: it does not cause allergic reactions, so cane sugar will definitely not harm even children. But if the child has any diseases, you must first consult a doctor.

Is there any benefit to refined cane sugar?

Many people believe that refined sugar is produced using chemicals, but this is not true. The process uses only water and special raw materials.

In terms of calorie content and sucrose content, refined and unrefined cane sugar practically do not differ from each other (maximum by 10 kcal). The main difference is only in the content useful elements, which are much smaller in the refined version due to processing. However, a small part of them remains.

Important! It is better not to consume cane products that come from Southeast Asia and have not undergone the refining process, since in these countries they control pests with the help of special poisons, which then remain in the product.

Features of sugar consumption

If you completely stop eating sweets, blood circulation will be disrupted, and at the same time the normal functioning of most body systems. This means that sugar must be in the diet. It is only important to choose the right type of cane sweetener and follow the dosage.

Daily consumption rate

An adequate dosage per day is approximately 45 grams. In this case, no diet will be disrupted. You can consume up to six tablespoons of this substance per day, so you don’t have to give up sweets.

Is it possible to have cane sugar for diabetes?

In mild stages of diabetes, it is allowed to consume a small amount of sweets, which are prescribed by a doctor. In general, this amounts to about 5% of your daily carbohydrate intake. It is necessary to be careful about the volume consumed and take into account the composition when dosing drugs that lower blood sugar levels. At the same time, you can include only high-quality varieties in your diet and be able to distinguish them from harmful counterfeits.

For type 1 and type 2 diabetes, it is better to avoid using this product, as glycemic index cane sugar is quite high and amounts to 55 units. This increases glucose levels and the proportion of carbohydrates in the body. In such cases, it is better to give preference to sweeteners.

Cane sugar for pancreatitis

If inflammatory processes occur in the digestive organs, you should be careful about consuming any sweets and monitor the dosage in moderation. For pancreatitis, doctors recommend adding just one teaspoon of cane sugar to drinks, but it is better to avoid the treat altogether during the illness.

Cane sugar during pregnancy and breastfeeding

During pregnancy, it is recommended to replace regular sugar with cane sugar, as it contains elements necessary for mother and child and is well absorbed. In addition, it can improve lactation and the taste of milk, help cope with insomnia and promote rapid recovery after childbirth and the production of the happiness hormone. However, the calorie content here is no lower than usual, which means you should reduce your consumption to three spoons a day, because pregnant and lactating women are prone to obesity.

Cane sugar scrub for beautiful skin

Brown sugar - the best option for preparing scrubs. It has a delicate effect on the skin surface, and the pleasant caramel aroma can relax.

Scrubs with the addition of this component have a lot of useful properties.

1. Normalizes skin fat metabolism.
2. Eliminates peeling.
3. Moisturize.
4. Cleanses pores.
5. Fight cellulite.
6. Rejuvenate and smooth.
7. Removes toxins.
8. Evens out complexion.
9. Dead cells are removed.
10. Used for massage.
11. Gives shine.
12. Suitable for use before shaving to prevent ingrown hairs.
13. Makes the skin more soft.
14. Absorb excess fat.
15. Maintains the natural balance of the skin.

In addition to the described component, the scrub consists of a base (honey, oil, cream) and a couple of drops of essential oil (optional), which give the product additional beneficial properties.

Cane Sugar Scrub Recipes

1. Mix 3 tbsp. l. olive oil, 1 tbsp. l. vanilla extract and vitamin E, 2 tsp. natural honey and 2 tbsp. l. cane sweetener.
2. Mix 2 tbsp. l. white and brown sugar, 1 tbsp. l. sea ​​salt, 1/3 cup baby oil.
3. Mix cane sugar and honey in a 1:1 ratio, add a little lemon juice.

Advice! Before applying the scrub, you should steam your skin. Then massage it with the resulting product for 10 minutes, rinse warm water and apply cream.

How to distinguish real cane sugar from fake

Counterfeits are increasingly appearing in stores. Manufacturers add caramel to regular refined sugar to turn it brown and sell it at the price of natural cane sugar.

It is important to learn to recognize a fake. To do this, you need to take into account several nuances:

• The packaging should be marked “unrefined.”
• Manufacturers of this product can only be the USA, Mauritius and South American countries.
• Due to the different sizes of crystals, this substance cannot be in the form of perfectly smooth sand or cubes.

Ways to recognize a quality product:

• Drop a little iodine into sweetened water. If the liquid turns blue, then the product being tested is real.
• Dissolve sugar in water. If it turns brownish, then it is a fake.

Harm of cane sugar and contraindications

In some cases, cane sugar can be not only beneficial, but also harmful to health. This is due to the fairly high calorie content. If you consume sweets in large quantities, the risk of diseases such as diabetes, cancer and atherosclerosis increases, as well as diseases of the pancreas, which cannot process as much. In addition, sweets cause tooth decay.

Advice! For those with a sweet tooth who can't resist it good taste, it is recommended to consume fruits and dried fruits, high-quality honey and natural juice reed

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of cane sugar are determined by its composition and beneficial properties. It is characterized by a high content of useful elements. It is no coincidence that all over the world cane sugar is considered an elite environmentally friendly product. But if used uncontrolled, like any other sweetener, it can cause serious harm to health, especially if it is counterfeit. It is important to learn to monitor the dosage or use natural substitutes.

Did you find this article useful?

Nutritionists constantly talk about the dangers of refined sugar. At the same time, supporters healthy eating actively promote the benefits of brown sugar. But both types of bulk sweets are a storehouse of pure carbohydrates, and at first glance they differ only in color. So is it worth giving up regular sugar and switching completely to brown sugar? Can this product be beneficial or harmful? Few people know for certain about the properties of dark granulated sugar, although it is found quite often in stores today.

How is brown sugar different from regular sugar?

In addition to color, there are still plenty of differences between the usual snow-white granulated sugar and its brown counterpart:

1. Raw materials and method of production: regular sugar is produced from sugar beets by evaporation and crystallization, brown sugar is produced from sugar cane by boiling.
2. Ingredients: white does not contain molasses; in brown it can make up a fairly significant part of the main volume of the product.
3. Country of origin: regular is supplied to stores most often from local processing plants; brown is imported from Brazil, Guatemala, Cuba, etc.
4. Taste: regular sugar is neutral and richly sweet; brown sugar can have a fruity, caramel or even creamy flavor.

One of the main differences is the price. Ordinary white sugar costs three to four times less than brown. Therefore, before choosing a more expensive exotic analogue in the store, you should find out in more detail which sugar is healthier, white or brown. Maybe the difference in their beneficial properties is not so great, and it’s not worth overpaying just for the color?

What are the benefits of brown sugar?

Brown sugar is less processed, so it retains more of the nutrients present in the raw material. The benefit of brown sugar is that it contains many microelements: potassium, inca, sodium, phosphorus, which are in regular sugar almost not. Cane sweetness may well replace extremely healthy honey if a person is allergic to it. But in addition to the benefits, brown sugar also has harm. This is a high-calorie product and is absorbed very quickly. Therefore, it can provoke obesity with the same degree of probability as its white counterpart. Although there are still slightly fewer calories per hundred grams - 377 kcal, and regular sugar - 347 kcal.

Diets and healthy eating 22.03.2018

Dear readers, many of you cannot imagine your life without sugar. Surely you know that it can be not only classic white, but also brown. This type of sugar is called cane sugar and is obtained from sugar cane that grows in India and Cuba. It has a beautiful golden color and caramel taste. Gourmets like to drink coffee and tea with cane sugar; many add it to homemade cakes to give a special aroma.

Today it is fashionable to buy natural products, and manufacturers actively support the idea of ​​healthy eating, which has caught the attention of the population. But it’s not customary to talk about the risk of buying a fake. You can order all types of cane sugar in supermarkets and on the Internet, but how can an inexperienced consumer distinguish a high-quality product from a low-quality one? And what is cane sugar good for and is it good for you at all? Should you give up beet sugar? Let's understand this difficult issue. Let's talk about the benefits and harms of cane sugar, about their differences.

A little history

Russian consumers learned about cane sugar back in the 90s, when it was actively imported to us from Cuba, and it was even a little cheaper than our regular beet sugar. His homeland is India. Alexander the Great brought it to Europe. In the Middle Ages, sugar was sold in pharmacies. Peter the Great opened the Sugar Chamber in Russia in the 18th century. The world produces 60% of cane sugar and 40% of regular sugar.

Main types of cane sugar:

• Demerara- the most common type of finely ground cane sugar, has a fine delicate taste, suitable for coffee and cooking meat with a delicious sugar glaze;
• Muscovado - elite variety cane sugar, which is minimally processed, has a rich, characteristic sour caramel-vanilla aroma;
• Turbinado- raw cane sugar of brown-golden color, which is partially purified from molasses using water and steam;
• Barbadian- has a dark shade and strong aroma, contains a large amount of molasses.

Let's see what brown cane sugar looks like in the photo. It can be made in the form of refined sugar or in crumbly form.

Cane sugar and beet sugar - what's the difference?

How is cane sugar different from regular sugar? This question is especially of concern to those people who adhere to the principles of a healthy diet. What's the difference? The main difference, of course, is the composition.

Brown cane sugar is an unrefined, unrefined sugar that retains most of its nutrients:

• cellulose;
• calcium;
• zinc;
• potassium;
• B vitamins;
• sodium.

Regular sugar is lower in calcium and other nutrients. But you should know that cane sugar can be not only brown, but also white (refined). The benefits of such a product are small. If you use cane sugar for health, it is better to choose dark varieties (unrefined and unrefined). Then there will be no harm from the product, provided it is used in moderation.

Classic brown cane sugar gives a unique taste to our favorite drinks - coffee and tea. They also make baked goods with a crispy crust, which is obtained due to the presence of molasses.

Calorie content

The calorie content of cane sugar is no different from regular sugar: approximately 400 kcal per 100 g. But still, sugar is a simple carbohydrate that should be consumed in small quantities, and with age it is recommended to give it up altogether or sharply limit it.

How much cane sugar can you eat per day?

The daily intake of sugar per day (not only in the form of a bulk product, but also in the form of baked goods) is no more than 5 teaspoons. Excess glucose can harm the body, in particular, according to experts, it makes our blood vessels fragile and contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. In addition, after sugar enters our body, calcium is spent on its processing - the main element for maintaining healthy teeth and bones.

Which sugar is sweeter - cane or beet sugar?

In terms of sweetness, beet sugar is richer; it is actually sweeter. It is more economical to spend in everyday life. Cane sugar is not as sweet, its taste is more delicate, and it develops well in coffee and baked goods. Homemade muffins and cookies are especially delicious with its addition. If you need to choose sugar based on the degree of sweetness, then it is better to buy beet sugar. Reed is loved precisely for its combination of special aroma and taste.

The main beneficial components of cane sugar are calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and B vitamins. There are quite a lot of these substances in this product. Per 100 g it contains approximately 62 mg, 332 mg, 117 g, 2 mg. But you shouldn’t eat so much sugar just for the sake of getting nutrients - it’s healthier and safer to get them from other foods.

The main beneficial properties of cane sugar:

• strengthens bones, prevents the development of caries and tooth loss, inhibits the course of age-related osteoporosis;
• provides useful energy, increases performance, restores strength after hard physical work and psycho-emotional stress;
• increases immunity, enables the body to actively repel viral attacks, inhibits the aging process due to the presence of antioxidants and B vitamins;
• ensures normal functioning nervous system and brain;
• regulates metabolic processes in the body, supports hematopoietic function;
• normalizes the functioning of the digestive tract due to the content of natural fiber, cleanses the intestines of mucus and harmful metabolic products;
• Due to the presence of potassium, cane sugar supports the active functioning of the heart muscle and prevents the development of cardiovascular diseases.

Cane sugar is especially useful for mental workers who need a regular supply of glucose. Instead of eating sweets and high-calorie baked goods, it is better to add a piece of refined sugar to your tea. This will benefit the brain. I myself like not to add it to tea, but to drink it as a snack.

You know, you can’t live completely without sweets, but you need to be able to find an alternative to harmful carbohydrates. Since cane sugar contains a lot of calcium, when glucose is absorbed, your own calcium reserves will be consumed at a slower rate. This is a big advantage, in my opinion.

This video describes the benefits of brown cane sugar, its types and possible health risks.

Which sugar is better - cane or beet sugar?

This is a traditional question that worries many consumers. Refined sugars are all equally harmful. But unrefined cane is many times healthier. It has 23 times more calcium than refined sugar. If only for this reason, it is worth giving preference to sugar produced from cane juice.

How to choose the right cane sugar

Today, the demand for this product has grown significantly, but not all consumers know how to choose a quality product. Be sure to study the packaging: proven cane sugar producing countries are Mauritius, Latin America and Cuba.

How to distinguish a fake from the original

There are many myths regarding determining the quality of cane sugar. On the Internet, many even conduct various experiments at home, but, alas, their results are not always reliable. It is difficult for an inexperienced consumer who has never purchased a similar product before to distinguish counterfeit cane sugar from the original.

There is an opinion that The best way testing cane sugar for quality is an attempt to dissolve it in water, which, as many believe, should remain clear. In fact, such experiences cannot be taken seriously. Cane sugar contains molasses, which colors the liquid. This is a completely natural reaction.

You should also be skeptical about the experiment with iodine, which should color the starch contained in cane sugar. But there is so little of this starch that you are unlikely to see a blue coloration of the water.

What to look for when buying cane sugar? I would advise you to look at the price. The main difference between cane sugar and regular sugar is its qualitative composition. But a good product can't be cheap. Therefore, if the cost of cane sugar is suspiciously low (less than 250-300 rubles per kg), it means that you are most likely looking at ordinary colored sugar.

It is important to feel and see the line between the health benefits and harms of cane sugar. Only moderate consumption of the product can be safe for health.

Cane sugar is a kind of exotic, a delicacy for gourmets and those who want to minimize the harm from consumed carbohydrates. But these are not fruits or vegetables that can be consumed with virtually no restrictions. I know that some people eat cane sugar in pieces, and this is understandable: it has a unique caramel taste and they just want to eat it. But always remember about a sense of proportion, which will help you maintain your figure and blood vessels, and not develop insulin resistance, from which many begin to gain weight catastrophically quickly.

Is it possible to have cane sugar for diabetes?

At diabetes mellitus limit any sugars, including cane sugar. You can consume simple carbohydrates with the permission of your endocrinologist. With diabetes, there is an increased risk of developing obesity and cardiovascular diseases, so it is better to replace sugar with honey, which contains more fructose than sucrose, or use sweeteners. The severity of restrictions directly depends on the severity of the disease. Therefore, in any case, it is better to consult your doctor.

Sugar is not only sweetness. Sugar is the joy of our lives

Cane sugar can be used in different ways. The most common option is to add the product to tea and coffee. To give culinary dishes Cane sugar can also be used for caramel flavor and subtle aroma.

Homemade Cookie Recipe

You will need the following products:

• 1 egg;
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar;
• 100 g sifted flour;
• 1/2 cup cane sugar;
• 120 g soft butter;
• a glass of raisins;
• a pinch of vanillin;
• 1/2 cup oatmeal;
• a pinch of salt.

Mix soft butter with powdered sugar and brown sugar. Add beaten egg, vanilla, cereals and flour. Then add raisins and salt to taste. Stir the mixture thoroughly, form it into neat cakes, place on a baking sheet and place in a preheated oven at 200°C. Cookies need to be baked until golden crust(10-20 minutes).

Sweet hair removal

Brown sugar can be used not only in cooking, but also in cosmetology - it produces good pasta For . With its help, it is easy to remove excess hair on the body. Cane sugar syrup caramelizes quickly, so it can be used for home hair removal if desired.

For classic pasta you will need: 6 tablespoons brown sugar, 2 teaspoons water, 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Simply combine all ingredients (except lemon juice) and melt over low heat until caramelized, stirring frequently. Lemon juice add sugar to the mixture immediately after boiling, when the surface is covered with bubbles. Refrigerate the mixture for several hours. Knead before use small piece paste until it becomes plasticine.

How to store

Due to its high hygroscopicity, it is recommended to store cane sugar in a glass or ceramic tight jar with a ground-in lid. Keep in mind that it absorbs odors quickly. Do not store fragrant, open foods near cane sugar. Before purchasing, carefully inspect the packaging: it must be intact. During transportation of products, many manufacturers put poisons between bags to prevent damage to the containers by rodents. Cane sugar is very hygroscopic and quickly absorbs moisture and odors. If the packaging is damaged, there is a risk of deterioration in the quality of the product.