According to specialists, there are three main categories of sugar: lactose, fructose and sucrose. It’s also important to mention that sugar, more exactly, glucose, plays an important part in the good functioning of your body. Nevertheless, if you consume too much of it, you might end up dealing with different serious conditions, like obesity or diabetes.
Can Sugar Be Good for You?
As previously mentioned, sugar can provide your body with energy, however, it’s recommended to consume it with moderation. Plus, the American Heart Association (AHA) has revealed the recommended quantities of sugar you should eat every day. So, when it comes to men, they should make sure to consume 150 calories per day, that is, 37.5 grams or 9 teaspoons. On the other hand, women should eat 100 calories per day, about 25 grams or 6 teaspoons.
Is Brown Sugar Good for You?
So, is brown sugar good for you? Most people claim that this type of sugar is more nutritive than regular white sugar. Are you ready to separate the myth from reality? You should know that white sugar is 99.9% pure sucrose, while the brown type has other components as well: 97% sucrose, 1% other substances and 2% water. Besides that, the molasses in brown sugar have a number of minerals, like magnesium, iron and calcium, nonetheless they come in small amounts, so, they don’t actually bring benefits to the table.
Is Raw Sugar Good for You?
If you want to find out if raw sugar is good for your health, you should know that this product is less processed than regular sugar. It has a brownish color when it is formed, due to molasses. Plus, it contains a small amount of minerals and just a bit of vitamin B6. You can use it in the morning to sweeten your oatmeal or tea, or when baking. This way, you can make delicious cakes or pies, and garnish them with raw sugar.
Sugar Substitutes
Sugar substitutes can be good alternatives to regular sugar. And one of the most common is sucrose. Also known as table sugar, sucrose is believed to have 16 calories per teaspoon and is usually found in fruit. Besides that, sucrose can provide you with energy, however it doesn’t have nutritional benefits for your body.
Agave nectar is another sugar substitute you might want to take a look at. This sweet nectar is a product of agave cactus and it resembles honey in both taste and texture. But unlike honey, agave nectar isn’t rich in antioxidants.
See also:Healthy Substitutes for Food Cravings8 Negative Calorie Foods
