Which sugar is better to choose - cane or regular sugar? Is there a difference, benefit and harm?

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, the benefits and harms of 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, the beet variety loses to the cane variety, which supplies unique beneficial substances. 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.

How is it different from usual?

When choosing which sugar to choose, the buyer often asks the question: “How is a cane product different from a regular one?”

As you can see, the calorie content of sugars is almost the same, and the beneficial substances are in equally small quantities. Cane sugar is positioned as a healthier product, but both types of sugar bring benefits and harm to the body. The main difference is in price: cane sugar costs three times more than our domestic counterpart.

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 unrefined. 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.
• Black cane (Soft molasses sugar): contains a large amount of molasses and is very dark in color, has the softest and stickiest crystals, and a rich cane flavor and aroma.
• 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 that came from India, is condensed sugarcane juice, which is squeezed out very slowly and retains its beneficial properties; in color and consistency it is similar to soft sherbet.

Recommended reading: Foods containing large amounts of potassium and magnesium

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 with 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.

What are the benefits of cane sugar?

The composition of cane sugar determines its beneficial effect on the human body:

• stimulates the nervous system, improves memory;
• stabilizes blood pressure;
• strengthens the skeletal system;
• normalizes metabolism;
• provides the body with energy;
• regulates digestion.

The medicinal properties of the product allow it to be used in traditional medicine recipes.

The product is hypoallergenic and can even be used by people allergic to refined beetroot. The slow carbohydrates in the product do not cause weight gain, so it can be consumed by people who are losing weight.

The optimal daily dose is six teaspoons. Children and teenagers can eat seven or eight spoons, as their metabolism is faster.

To watch a video about the benefits of sugar:

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 of useful elements, which are much less 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.

Cane sugar and regular white sugar - what's the difference?

Most of all, the average buyer is interested in how cane sugar differs from regular sugar. It turns out, practically nothing, if we are talking about a refined product. Apart from the slight difference between cane sugar and traditional sugar in terms of sucrose content and origin, these are two almost identical products with a minimal content of nutrients.

But if we are talking about raw sugar, then there are a lot of differences: from the appearance (the color of raw cane sugar is brown, and the structure is more viscous), to a whole list of useful properties, which will be discussed below. To be fair, it should be said that beet sugar is not produced in its raw form, so comparison can only be made with refined sugar common on the market.

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 consuming this product, since the glycemic index of 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.

We recommend reading: The benefits and harms of roquefort cheese with blue mold

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.

Health benefits and harms of cane sugar

Gur (brown sugar) can be beneficial or harmful, it all depends on the quantity. Glucose and fructose included in its composition are necessary for the body. They:

• provide energy;
• support muscle performance;
• necessary for normal functioning of the liver, heart, brain;
• help recover from serious illnesses, intoxications, and physical exertion.

The minerals and set of vitamins present in the caramel product also provide benefits.

Only excessive amounts of both pure sugar and foods containing it are harmful to humans. Moreover, the exact amount eaten per day is very difficult to calculate. The main problems that arise when there is an excess of carbohydrates in the diet:

• diabetes;
• problems with weight, figure;
• damaged teeth, caries;
• atherosclerosis, cardiovascular pathologies.

No matter what sugar is made from, it still remains a quickly digestible carbohydrate. It is especially dangerous for diabetics. Despite the fact that the unrefined product has a lower glycemic index (about 55 units), you should not eat it a lot.

Interesting!

The breakdown of sucrose begins in the oral cavity under the action of ptyalin, an enzyme secreted by the salivary glands.

Cane sugar scrub for beautiful skin

Brown sugar is the best option for making 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 with warm water and apply cream.

Uses of cane sugar

The main area of ​​application of the product is cooking. It is recommended to eat unrefined cane sugar, as it has the greatest benefits.

The additive is part of folk remedies for coughs and headaches. Cosmetics are made with brown sugar.

Use in cooking

Cane sugar gives a rich caramel taste to drinks - tea, coffee, cocoa. It is added to warming mulled wine, grogs and punches. For convenience, mills with sugar are produced to obtain a well-dissolving aromatic powder.

The molasses contained in the product prevents baked goods from becoming stale; they remain soft twice as long as when using granulated beet sugar. Cane sugar is added to dough for cookies, sweet buns, and biscuits.

An exception is that it is not recommended to use it when preparing caramel and sweet sauces. Its brown color will not allow you to notice the moment of caramelization in time.

The pleasant caramel aroma allows you to use the additive for the preparation of confectionery creams and glazes. The unrefined product is even suitable for making sauces for meat dishes.

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In cosmetology and for weight loss

People who are losing weight can safely eat four teaspoons of unrefined sweets a day. This will not have a negative effect on your figure. This amount is suitable for adding to tea, as well as in culinary dishes.

Cane sweetness also brings benefits when used externally. Cleansing and massage scrubs are made on its basis.

1. For oily facial skin. Mix a spoonful of granulated sugar with a spoonful of sour cream, add the juice of a quarter of a lemon. The mixture is applied to the skin and massaged into the face with light movements.
2. Anti-cellulite. Coarsely chopped pieces of sugar are mixed with ground coffee, olive oil is added to form a thick paste. Massage the thighs, buttocks and abdomen, then rinse with warm water.
3. Body cleanser. Granulated sugar is mixed with olive oil and orange juice. The mixture is heated, applied to the entire body and gently massaged. Then the skin is rinsed with warm water.

Scrubs make the skin soft, smooth, and stimulate blood circulation. With regular use, cellulite is noticeably reduced.

You can prepare a natural scrub using the video:

In medicine

Cane sugar is used to replace granulated beet sugar if a person has allergies. The cane product is allowed to be consumed even by small children; it does not cause diathesis.

At the initial stage of diabetes, a person can use cane sweetness instead of granulated beet sugar. It is absorbed more slowly by the body and does not cause a significant increase in blood glucose. However, in case of persistent diabetes, it is recommended to exclude this from the diet.

Cane sugar makes a good cough medicine. The pieces should be melted over the fire and poured onto a plate in small drops. After hardening, these lozenges should be dissolved 2-3 times a day.

If you drop a little cognac on a piece of sugar, you will get an effective remedy for headaches. In addition, it slightly lowers blood pressure.

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.

How to choose the right cane sugar

It's never a bad idea to read the product label. It should say: raw unrefined sugar from cane. Moreover, the information must be in a clear, accessible language, indicating the country where the product comes from, as well as its type.

The best cane sugar is produced in Cuba, the island of Mauritius, and Latin American countries. It is preferable that it be packaged at the place of manufacture, and not in the CIS, then there is less chance of buying 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! Those with a sweet tooth who cannot refuse this pleasant taste are recommended to consume fruits and dried fruits, high-quality honey and natural cane juice.

Real cane sugar and how to distinguish a fake from the original

All manufacturers position their product as real, but this is just advertising. It sometimes reaches the point of absurdity and the inscription “such sugar will never cause excess weight” appears on the labels.

Unfortunately, no one has carried out detailed laboratory studies that would help identify counterfeits in the vastness of the former USSR. After visual assessment and tasting, commodity experts come to disappointing conclusions: the majority of unrefined sweet products on supermarket shelves are refined sugar processed with molasses.

Natural organic cane sugar can be purchased on the IHerb website with an additional 5% discount.

How to check cane sugar for authenticity at home

This question interests everyone, but there is no simple and reliable home method for determining the authenticity of cane sugar. The origin of the sweet can be unambiguously confirmed only in the laboratory through a very complex and expensive carbon isotope analysis. Such popular folk methods as dissolving it in water or dropping iodine will not give any result.

When counterfeiting cane sugar, regular beet sugar will be tinted with the same molasses or food coloring, color E150, approved for use. Therefore, the counterfeit product will also give a brown tint when dissolved in water.

As for iodine, you need much more starch in the product for it to turn blue. And in a colored solution, tiny changes in color cannot be noticed by the eye.

Only those who have tried the real product and regularly use it will be able to distinguish a fake by taste; it should have a bright aroma and taste. Externally, the crystals of unrefined carbohydrate are never as uniform in size and perfectly smooth as those of colored refined sugar.

Cane sugar tastes better than regular sugar and can transform your morning cup of coffee or fruit dessert. But it should be remembered that in large quantities it is also dangerous to health.