What are the benefits of unrefined cane sugar? Cane sugar: myths and reality. The main myth about 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, 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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! 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.

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?

Adults and children love to eat sugar; it improves brain function and improves mood. In Russia and the CIS countries, they consumed mainly white sugar, but not so long ago brown sugar was brought to our country. And many sweet tooths have since been interested in the question: cane sugar and regular sugar - what is the difference between them? And does it exist at all?

How is beet sugar obtained?

To obtain everyone's favorite beet sugar, people use sugar beets. In the mid-eighteenth century, the German chemist Andreas Marggraf published his numerous observations on how sugar is extracted from sugar beets. The records of the talented scientist have survived to this day.

The French commander Napoleon Bonaparte tried his best to improve the production of beet sugar in France, so as not to buy sugar from Great Britain.

In 1802 Alexander Blankenagel opened the first white sugar factory in the Russian Empire. I. A. Maltsev, with the help of the count couple Bobrinsky, improved sugar production in the Russian Empire. In 1897, more than two hundred sugar factories operated in the Russian state.

How is cane sugar made?

Sugar cane is used to make cane sugar. At the end of the fifteenth century, the navigator H. Columbus brought to the island. Haiti sugar cane. Over time, sugar cane began to be grown in India and the United States. In the sixteenth century, a cane sugar factory began operating in Germany. But despite this, sugar remained an item of wealth and luxury for a long time.

It grows over several years. Sugarcane is harvested in two ways by hand or agricultural machinery. The stems are cut into small pieces and taken to processing plants. At the factory, the sugar cane stalks are finely crushed and the juice is extracted with pure water.

First, the juice is subjected to maximum heat in order to destroy numerous enzymes. The resulting syrup is passed through several evaporators, after this procedure all the water comes out. After the above procedure, sugar crystals begin to form. The resulting crystals have a brown tint and are completely ready for use.

What are the benefits of cane sugar?

Cane sugar is 88% sucrose. But in addition to sucrose, brown sugar also contains at least useful material:

  • Potassium- improves heart function and strengthens blood vessels, lowers blood pressure. Promotes the absorption of proteins and fats. Cleanses the intestines and removes accumulated toxins from the human body;
  • Calcium- improves the condition of bones and tooth enamel. Promotes blood clotting and has a beneficial effect on brain function;
  • Zinc- keeps the skin youthful and makes the hair thick and shiny;
  • Copper- improves the human immune system;
  • Phosphorus- improves brain and heart function;
  • Iron- strengthens blood vessels.

Brown sugar is extremely beneficial for the human body and should be included in your diet.

The harm of cane sugar

Unfortunately, sugar brings more disadvantages to our body than advantages. However, it should be remembered that sugar is harmful to a sweet tooth only if he consumes it in considerable quantities.

And eating even brown sugar can lead to such serious diseases as:

  1. Diabetes;
  2. Excess weight;
  3. Atherosclerosis;
  4. Allergic reaction.

If a person has diabetes, then he needs to try to completely eliminate sugar from his diet or at least sharply reduce its amount. For pancreatitis, bronchial asthma and oncology, you should also limit the consumption of any sugar.

When purchasing cane sugar in the store, give preference to sugar in transparent packaging. This way you can carefully examine its appearance. Carefully read the ingredients on the label; it should say sugar. unrefined.

Very often, colored beet sugar is sold under the guise of cane sugar. Of course, such a food product will not harm your body, but you will not get much benefit from this sugar. And you will pay for it like you would for brown sugar, which costs much more than white sugar.

What are the benefits of beet sugar?

Our native white sugar also contains many useful substances. Beet sugar contains useful microelements, but manufacturers often do not write about this on the packaging. After making beet sugar, dark molasses remains. And dark molasses is used to produce livestock feed and alcohol.

Beetroot juice contains not only sugar, but also a lot of other useful substances:

  • Protein;
  • Pectin;
  • Oxalic acid;
  • Malic acid;
  • Citric acid;
  • Potassium;
  • Sodium;
  • Magnesium;
  • Cesium;
  • Iron.

But it is worth noting that the manufacturers of white granulated sugar are behind the times. In Soviet times, yellow granulated sugar was sold. If enterprises did not have time to produce white granulated sugar, then sellers put yellow sugar on store shelves. Nowadays, yellow granulated sugar would cost more than white granulated sugar, as it is enriched with organic elements.

The harm of beet sugar

Beet sugar is harmful to our body only if we eat in large quantities. Because granulated sugar, like any other food product, should be consumed in moderation.

Excessive consumption of beet sugar leads to serious consequences such as:

  1. Decreased immunity;
  2. Improper metabolism;
  3. Increased cholesterol;
  4. Oncological diseases;
  5. Destruction of tooth enamel;
  6. Excess weight;
  7. Allergic reaction.

Now you know about the pros and cons of cane sugar and beet sugar. Now you can answer the question, “what is the difference between cane sugar and regular sugar”? Each of them has beneficial and harmful properties. The main thing is not to consume them in large quantities. And it’s up to you to decide which sugar to choose!

Video about the difference between cane and regular sugar

What is the difference between brown sugar and regular white sugar?

Many people believe that cane brown sugar is healthier than white sugar. Therefore, some try to replace ordinary white sugar with brown, cane sugar for the sake of benefit.

It has become quite fashionable. After all, brown sugar, beautifully shaped, lying on a slot in an elegant sugar bowl, looks more attractive and elegant. Such sugar has even become a kind of symbol of wealth and sophistication... It is served in expensive restaurants and hotels.

Let's take a closer look at how cane sugar differs from regular sugar.

What do we know about brown and white sugar?

What is cane brown sugar?

Brown cane sugar is a product made from cane. Brown sugar has its color due to the fact that it is not refined. Ideally, brown sugar should be unrefined.

Brown sugar contains both organic substances and plant juice, but their content is not high!

Real unrefined cane sugar sold in our country can only be imported. The packaging should indicate where the cane from which the sugar is made grew, as well as where it was packaged. Cane sugar is brought to us, as a rule, from Latin American countries, Australia and the Pacific Islands, for example, Mauritius.

Keep in mind that cane sugar can also be white, i.e. This is refined cane sugar.

What is white sugar?

White sugar– This is a refined product. Refining is an industrial process that removes impurities from natural raw materials.

Regular white sugar is a carbohydrate that is considered a valuable nutrient that provides the body with the energy it needs.

Sugar is a disaccharide that consists of glucose and fructose. Glucose quickly enters the bloodstream and provides energy for thoughts and muscles, while fructose is transformed through the liver.

Cane sugar can also be white.

Beet and cane refined sugar are essentially no different from each other!

What is healthier: unrefined cane sugar or regular white refined sugar?

In fact, there is a difference between these types of sugar, but it is not as significant as it might initially seem. Because, for example, the number of calories in both places is almost the same.

Brown sugar has 377 calories, while regular refined sugar has 387 calories.

Real cane sugar does contain some beneficial microelements, but they are very small.

Most brown cane sugar on the Russian market is regular white sugar, colored with molasses or caramel.spruce

In addition, a significant part of the brown sugar sold in our country is the same white sugar, simply tinted with caramel. The number of fakes is very high!

Moreover, not only tinted sugar from beets, but also from cane, ordinary refined cane sugar, can be a counterfeit.

How do they counterfeit white sugar with brown sugar and why?

I make it very simple! Regular white sugar is simply colored brown. Fortunately, chemical food colorings are rarely used for this purpose.

The most popular ingredient used by manufacturers to give refined sugar its brown color is cane molasses or molasses. With the help of such molasses it is easier to hide the deception.

Molasses itself even contains some useful trace elements, but they are not distributed inside the sugar crystal, as they should be, but are on top and cover the purified, refined sugar crystal.

Why is brown sugar adulterated?

It's all about the price! The cost of real unrefined sugar is many times higher, which pushes many manufacturers to cheat.

In pursuit of a healthy lifestyle and the special usefulness of the product, which, according to the expert of the Society for the Protection of Consumer Rights, Roman Gaidashov, is very conditional, the consumer is ready to shell out good money.

The cost of unrefined cane sugar is at least three times more expensive than regular sugar. This is mainly explained by the fact that it grows far away and bringing it to Russia is not a cheap matter.

A little about sugar cane!

Sugar cane, what is it?

Sugarcane belongs to the grass family and is a real giant in this family. This family also includes grasses such as woody bamboo, cereals and lawn grass.

In the leaves of all these plants, the process of photosynthesis occurs, which contributes to the production of sugar. But sugar cane, unlike all other plants of this family, produces especially much sugar. It accumulates in the fibrous stems of this plant, in the form of sweet juice.

Sugar cane - a little history

Sugar cane was first found in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia and New Guinea. Sugar cane has been cultivated since ancient times.

Back in India, when 327 BC. e. The troops of Alexander the Great invaded this state, the Greeks wrote that the local residents “chewed wonderful cane, which gave honey without the help of bees.”

The rapid growth and mass cultivation of sugar cane began in the 15th century, when Western European powers began to make colonial conquests.

Sugarcane today

Today there are a huge number of varieties of sugar cane, several thousand. It is grown all over the world, in more than 80 countries. The annual global sugarcane harvest is about one billion tons.

Should I buy brown sugar instead of white?

Interestingly, in those countries where sugar cane is grown, unrefined brown sugar is quite inexpensive. No more expensive than regular granulated sugar in our stores. But we have a completely different price for it. Just like the price of mangoes, papaya and coconuts...

It is important to know - How much sugar can you have per day? Many nutritionists recommend consuming no more than 30g of sugar per day. This is approximately 5 teaspoons.

Therefore, whether to buy such sugar or not should mainly be decided on the basis of financial costs rather than health benefits. Because this benefit, of course, exists, but it does not greatly exceed the benefits of ordinary white beet refined sugar.

Of course, cane sugar looks much more presentable than regular white sugar in cubes. Not to mention the fact that there is also candy sugar, sugar in briquettes, lumps and many other types of sugar, which, in addition to taste, combine high visual and aesthetic properties.

Remember that sugar consumption standards do not depend in any way on its color!

But if your financial situation allows you to safely buy sugar for everyday use, which usually costs at least three times more, then that’s great! Why not?

The only thing is that it is very important not to forget that consuming sugar, like , excessively, is harmful to health and the color of sugar has absolutely no meaning here.

Lately there has been a lot of talk about what kind of sugar to use – regular white or brown. For a long time now, nutritionists have been calling regular sugar nothing more than “white death,” and in recent years marketers have begun to intensively promote brown sugar, which is called harmless, and some claim that it is even healthy.

Let's finally find out for ourselves and find out the whole truth about sugar.

Sugar - what is it like?

Let's start with the fact that any sugar is primarily a carbohydrate that entered our lives many years ago. Its homeland is India, where they first learned to extract it from cane, once noticing how sweet the droplets of its juice tasted.

There are currently six known types of sugar.

Reed

It is considered the sweetest and is obtained through the process of crushing cane, cleaning and crystallizing the juice.

Beetroot

It is the most common sugar because beets are common and grow in many climate zones. The process of obtaining the product is basically the same: only it is not the cane stems that are crushed, but the root crops, and then white sugar crystals are obtained from them through processing and purification.

Malt

When obtaining the product, a slightly different technology is used, and sugar is extracted during the fermentation of malt - millet or rice. The resulting crystals are less sweet.

Palm

This sugar is extracted from the trunk of some palm trees, it exists in the form of a thick brown substance or slabs of dried molasses with a peculiar odor.

Maple

It is made from the sap of certain types of maple trees in countries, mainly Canada, where syrup from this tree is common.

Sorghum

The least sweet and therefore unprofitable type of sugar. As you know, it is obtained from sorghum.

The sweetest is beet and cane sugar, which, as you know, is also the most common.

White sugar

Now let's look at what white beet sugar is. Our shelves mostly contain granulated sugar, and it is produced in the form of cubes, called refined sugar, by pressing. In fact, it is refined sugar cubes that are pure white because its technology involves deep cleaning.

Sand can be white, cream or slightly yellowish in color. There is also slightly grayish sand, but you shouldn’t buy it, it was made in violation of technology.

Both types consist of 99% carbohydrates; it is quickly absorbed by the body and processed into energy, and if consumed in large quantities, into fat.

Therefore, within reasonable limits, sugar is harmless and you should not call it “white death”; after all, energy is very important for the body.

And now a surprise - cane sugar is also white and looks no different from that made from beets. It is considered to be slightly sweeter, but it is almost impossible for the average consumer to notice the difference. In addition, both beet and cane sugar have the same calorie content - 390 kcal, and therefore the same daily requirement - 50-60 g.

Both types of sugar, as they say, are equally useful if we are talking about granulated sugar, but refined sugar is more harmful, because refined raw materials, consisting of altered molecular compounds, have the ability to remove beneficial substances from the body.

It has been proven that long-term excessive consumption of refined sugar can cause diabetes. However, it has long been no secret that all refined foods are harmful if consumed in large quantities.

Brown sugar

Actually, it is not brown, but golden, and it is cane sugar that has not gone through all the stages of purification. Other types of sugar that are not refined or not refined enough have a bitter taste and are not suitable for sale.

Marketers and sellers of brown sugar claim that this product is better because:

Not refined;
less calorie;
contains some special microelements;
for some reason it’s healthier than refined sugar.

In fact, cane sugar that has not undergone complete purification, like beet sugar, contains slightly more microelements than refined sugar. The calorie content is also slightly lower than the purified one, but not significantly - only 1-2 kcal.

But if they sell you cane molasses under the guise of brown sugar, then it can be harmful, because... no one knows in what area this reed grew. Thus, brown sugar, unless it has undergone the necessary control and processing and is not certified, can be harmful due to possible toxins.

In addition, in the wake of the unfounded fashion for brown sugar, tinted regular beet or cane sugar is very often sold, of course, and at a higher price. It comes to the point that under its guise, particularly unscrupulous manufacturers sell calcined, refined ones; one must understand that we are not talking about benefits here.

Thus, it is impossible to talk about the benefits of sugar, even if it is brown.

How to choose the right cane sugar

In order not to become a victim of deception, when purchasing, you need to require a quality certificate and, at the same time, a document by which you can determine the importer of the product.

Real cane sugar is delivered to Russia from Guatemala, Costa Rica, Cuba, USA, India, Mauritius or Brazil. A pungent aroma that breaks through even through polyethylene may indicate a fake - aromatic additives.

Real unrefined sugar has a faint caramel smell. You can only discover the rest of the deception during consumption - artificially colored sugar can color the water in a glass.

It makes the most sense to think about whether it is worth overpaying for a possible counterfeit, since there is no 100% guarantee of purchasing real cane sugar, although it has been established that it is practically in no way superior to beet sugar.

Both products can be unrefined, i.e. less harmful and refined, which should be consumed as rarely as possible.

Another Opinion: Brown Sugar May Be Poisonous

Nutrition expert and nutritionist of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Alexey Kovalkov believes that the opinion about the superiority of unrefined cane sugar over refined or beet sugar is a myth invented by manufacturers and sellers.

Moreover, it can be more dangerous even than refined sugar, because it takes a long time to be delivered from South America or the countries of Southeast Asia in the holds of ships, and carriers, in order to scare away rodents, line the bags with poison, and sugar, as is known, has a high absorbing ability. Therefore, the content of harmful and dangerous microelements is often exceeded.

As for the claims that molasses - dark brown molasses - contains many useful substances, this is also a big misconception or deceit. This condensed cane juice actually contains vitamins, amino acids, as well as iron, calcium and other trace elements, however, their quantity is such that you can only get the daily requirement by eating at least one kilogram!

Big scam of gullible consumers

Some time ago there was a big scandal - the Society for the Protection of Consumer Rights, together with the publication AiF, conducted a large examination of brown unrefined sugar from cane. Much to the disappointment of buyers, absolutely all the samples turned out to be fakes - ordinary colored refined sugar, which was sold at exorbitant prices.

Sugar sellers then passionately argued that they had been slandered by beet sugar producers, however, none of them went to court.

Another deception - caramel sugar

Recently, another deception has appeared - the so-called caramel sugar, which is sold either on a stick, for convenience, or in the form of the usual crystals. However, this is another scam for us, the buyers. Caramel sugar is nothing more than the same familiar refined sugar, melted at high temperatures.

Everything would not be so scary if not for one fact: with prolonged heating, a certain unpleasant substance is formed in refined sugar - hydroxymethylfurfural, which is a very toxic mutagen.

As Dr. A. Kovalkov, already mentioned above, says: « Any type of sugar, no matter what raw materials it is produced from, in large quantities is a poison that causes addiction. Today we eat half a kilogram of sugar a day along with fruits, baked goods, ketchup, soups and cereals, because sugar is now put everywhere. In all of history, people have never consumed so much sugar! A few years of such a sweet life - and diabetes mellitus is guaranteed for many».

What can you replace sugar with?

If it is not possible to buy the product directly, and it really is not, unless, of course, you live in these countries where cane grows, buy ordinary granulated sugar, beet or cane. Choose varieties that are not pure white: cream, slightly golden, but one that sells at a normal price. Since the product is not particularly useful, at least don’t overpay for it.

In addition, for those who are particularly stubborn and concerned about the usefulness of products, there is the opportunity to purchase:

Sweet juice from Jerusalem artichoke is a sweet squeeze from a famous root vegetable that grows in our country.
Maple syrup, I wrote about it above.
Agave nectar is a cactus that grows in the tropics.
Stevia nectar is an exotic product that grows in America.

But be prepared that the price of all these substitutes ranges from 500 to 1000 rubles. per kg - the pleasure is not cheap.

And now about the powdered sugar

And in conclusion, we cannot help but remember powdered sugar, which some people prefer to buy for various baked goods.

During industrial production, in addition to corn starch, a completely harmless product, this product is also supplemented with such things as:

Tricalcium phosphate,
magnesium carbonate,
silica,
calcium silicate,
magnesium trisilicate,
sodium aluminum silicate or calcium aluminum silicate.

Without them, the powder will not be stored in powder for a long time and will turn into lumps, so it is better to make it yourself in a simple way - grind regular sugar in a coffee grinder. And the article is about folk remedies for losing weight.

Cane sugar is considered healthier than classic sugar. Let's find out if this is true.

Cane sugar has already become a panacea for health. The manufacturer claims that it contains many microelements and few calories. This means more beauty and a thinner waist. However, laboratory studies showed a completely different picture. Brown sugar contains vitamins and microelements in such small quantities that they cannot bring any significant benefit to the body. Moreover, sugar may contain organic impurities such as starch, polysaccharides, and inorganic impurities that are not absorbed by the body. And what is not absorbed is deposited in the body in the form of stones and salt deposits. And there are not much fewer calories in it compared to white: 377 calories per 100 grams versus 389. You can also find dietary cane sugar. Artificial sweetener, which makes the product harmful to health, allows you to remove excess calories. It turns out that there is no particular difference for the body between regular sugar and brown sugar.

Another thing is the caramel taste and unusual aroma of imported sugar! Gourmets around the world unanimously claim that only brown sugar can decorate any drink in such a way. In our country, cane sugar, the benefits and harms of which have not yet been thought about, first appeared under Peter I on the tables of the rich as an overseas delicacy. These days, such sweets are no longer uncommon on tables. Using cane sugar in cooking, you can become a great cook: after all, you can add it to baked goods and sauces and achieve a unique effect. But the widespread use of brown sugar comes at a cost. After all, it is much more expensive. Firstly, because it is being transported from afar. Secondly, the cane is harvested by hand and processed on the same day. In order not to stumble upon a fake and not waste your money, approach your choice with special care.

Everything you need to know about cane sugar

Real sugar is imported. Therefore, choose manufacturers from South America, the USA, Mauritius, and Australia. This is where all the cane plantations are located. Of course, Russia may also be indicated on the packaging. This means that the company purchased sugar abroad, but packaged it in our country. But it is better if the sugar is produced and packaged in one place.

Brown color does not indicate the naturalness of the product. This sugar acquires its specific properties thanks to molasses, which is often replaced with dyes. Unfortunately, you can only test it at home by adding it to water. If it turns golden and the crystals are white, this is definitely a fake.

Examine the packaging for leaks. Sugar quickly absorbs moisture and forms one continuous lump.

To ensure that cane sugar is not harmful, look for the “unrefined” mark on the label. Everything else is a surrogate. The fakes usually just say “light brown” or “dark brown” on their packaging. By the way, the darker the sugar, the richer the taste. Also, a quality product will definitely indicate the grade. The most popular varieties: demerara, turbinado, light and dark muscovado.

Lump sugar is healthier, but more expensive. The pieces should be of different sizes and with raw edges. Otherwise, what you have in front of you is pressed and colored refined sugar.

Real cane sugar can be distinguished by its taste and smell. Refined sugar has no flavor and will never add flavor to the drink. The choice, brown sugar or white, is a matter of taste and wallet. Completely eliminating sugar from your diet can lead to a bad mood and inactive brain function, but you shouldn’t abuse it either. After all, all lovers of the sweet life dream of a thin waist.

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