A big confusion these days is deciding which sugar to eat and which to ditch. The biggest battle between brown sugar and white sugar is out and about. When people look out for sweeteners, they often prefer a balanced and healthy one. Little did they know that their regular white sugar is packed with loads of fats and other body-harming constituents. On the other hand, brown sugar has less of all this. But, is it really a healthy option if compared to white sugar? Let’s find out.
What is Brown sugar?
Brown sugar is commonly known as Lal Shakkar in Hindi. It is widely recognized for its health benefits as compared to white sugar. That is quite interesting to see the identical process of producing brown sugar and white sugar. It is almost the same but brown sugar comes from a thick syrup which is Molasses. The syrup is dark in color and is packed with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.
Nutritional value of Brown sugar
Here is the nutritional value of brown sugar.
- Generally used to add flavor
- 0gms cholesterol, fat
- 1mg Sodium
- 5gms Carbohydrates
- 17 Calories
- No protein content
Benefits of Brown sugar
Here are some of the astounding benefits of brown sugar.
- Brown sugar is packed with antioxidants as it is extracted from molasses, which is a powerhouse. It also balances the free radicals in the body. Additionally, brown sugar also fights against oxidative stress.
- This type of sugar is known to enhance the flavor of desserts and other dishes. It is mostly used in bakery items.
- Did you know that brown sugar is rich in nutrients like magnesium, potassium, calcium, and iron? Because it is extracted from molasses, it has a nutrient-rich value.
- Brown sugar is a great option if you have digestive issues. It promotes healthy digestion and also provokes bowel movements.
Health risks associated with Brown sugar
Now that you know about the benefits, here are some risk factors of brown sugar
- Brown sugar may cause a deficiency in several nutrients and vitamins.
- If you consume an excess amount of brown sugar, thinking it to be healthy, it might increase your blood sugar levels rapidly.
- There are high chance, that your diabetes level will spike after taking brown sugar regularly.
- Brown sugar might lead to heart disease and other symptoms like fatigue, nausea, and irregular heartbeat.
What is White Sugar?
White sugar popularly known as refined sugar in the market, is everyone’s staple in the house. People are habitual of using white sugar in their day-to-day lives. It is mainly added to sweets and beverages. The extraction process of white sugar comes from the sugarcane juice. It is primarily purified and then heated to a temperature to derive thick syrup. Labors then remove the molasses from the syrup and then the filtration process takes place. Once it is filtered and processed, the sugar crystals are formed, which are first dried and then packed.
Nutritional value of white sugar
Let’s understand the nutritional value of white sugar. One spoon of white sugar contains-
- 0mg Sodium
- 0g Fat
- 4g Carbohydrates
- 4gms sugar
- 15.4 Calories
- 0g fiber
- 0g protein
Benefits of White Sugar
Here are some of the top health benefits of white sugar.
- White sugar is a powerful source of energy. Yes, you heard that right. It is a carbohydrate that offers an immediate rush of energy in your body.
- It also helps with mood swings and activates the good hormones while increasing dopamine.
- White sugar serves as a natural healing agent for the body.
- Did you know that white sugar enhances brain functioning as it is made of glucose, which works like a fuel? Sugar is very high in energy.
Health Risks Associated with White Sugar
White sugar has great health benefits. But did you know there are several risk factors associated with it? Let’s examine them.
- Brown sugar can lead to rapid weight gain, which may trigger obesity in men and women.
- White sugar is one of the major causes of cardiovascular problems in the body. It increases the risk of heart disease and raises BP, leading to inflammation.
- If you consume white sugar on a daily basis. Especially the one with fruit toes. It can lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
- White sugar is one of the major causes of chronic inflammation. It triggers various health problems such as arthritis, high blood pressure, dental problems, and more.
- White sugar can lead to Type 2 diabetes and spike your blood sugar level.
Brown Sugar or White Sugar. Which one to choose?
It’s chaos honestly. There’s a huge debate between the two sugars. It can be quite intimidating to see which one to choose for a healthy lifestyle. Well, as per experts and specialists brown sugar is a healthy option compared to white sugar. But that doesn’t mean that you can take it excessively.
It is important to control your sugar intake whether it is brown sugar or white sugar. Both have health risks associated with them so, choose wisely.
Which sugar is not harmful?
To be precise every sugar is harmful. However, taking it in moderation can be a healthy choice for everyone. The best option is to rely on natural sources of sugar.
Is brown sugar bad for you?
Brown sugar is not bad for you. However, if you consume it frequently it might increase the chances of diabetes and other health concerns.
Is jaggery better than sugar?
Many people claim that jaggery is better than sugar. Yes, it is better than sugar, but it comes close to it. The only difference in using jaggery is that it is a healthy choice, as compared to refined sugar. Also, it contains better nutrients and vitamins.
Is honey better than sugar?
From a broad perspective, honey is definitely better than sugar. It is rich in antioxidants, and vitamins and has a low GI.
Takeaway
It’s decision time. Choose wisely. Consult your doctor and see what works for you. For more such health-related tips follow us at lifestylextra.com
