Myth or Fact: Brown Sugar is Better than White Sugar!

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White sugar and brown sugar are two of the most commonly used types. Many people assume that brown sugar is more nutritional than white sugar, simply because the brown version of certain kinds of food, such as rice, bread and pasta, are more beneficial to health than the white version.

The Difference between White and Brown Sugar

Raw sugar comes from sugar cane, and it is a little brown when it is formed. It appears brownish because of the presence of molasses. Manufacturers of sugar will bleach the sugar to remove the molasses, and this makes the sugar white. Brown sugar is produced by adding molasses back to the white sugar. The difference in taste between white and brown sugar is actually the taste of molasses, which will be milder in light brown sugar and stronger in darker brown sugar. Compared to white sugar, brown sugar has a sweeter and richer taste. It also has a moist and clumpy texture, which is different from the dry and grainy texture of white sugar.

The Use of White and Brown Sugar in Food

White sugar can be used in a wide variety of food and beverages, and it is an especially important ingredient for baking. People who make baked goods such as pies and cookies may want to substitute white sugar with brown sugar. Baked goods will have a richer flavor if they are made with brown sugar. Brown sugar can alter the color of the baked goods greatly, and its moistness can affect their overall appearances. Other than being a great ingredient for baking, brown sugar can also be used for making marinades for meat dishes, and it can be sprinkled on desserts as well. Both white sugar and brown sugar are commonly used as sweeteners for coffee and tea.

The Nutritional Values of White and Brown Sugar

Although many people are of the opinion that brown sugar is a healthier option than white sugar, the truth is that they only have marginally different nutritional values. White sugar is actually 99.9% pure sucrose, while brown sugar is 97% sucrose, 2% water and 1% other substances. A teaspoon of white sugar contains 16 kilo calories, whereas one teaspoon of brown sugar has 17 kilo calories. The molasses in brown sugar contains a number of minerals, which include calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron, but since only very small amounts of these minerals are present in brown sugar, they do not bring any health benefit to the body. It is known that sugar has very little nutrients, and both white sugar and brown sugar do not do much to promote health.

Conclusion

The choice between white sugar and brown sugar is a matter of personal preference. While some people prefer to consume brown sugar because of its rich taste, others like the plain sweet taste of white sugar. However, both types of sugar can be detrimental to the body if they are consumed excessively.