Sugar

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Things to know about Sugar

Are all types of sugar unhealthy?

Well, not exactly! There are two types of sugar – natural and refined sugar.

Natural sugar is found in fruits, milk, some vegetables and substances like honey. And guess what? Natural sugars are actually healthy and good for you!

Refined sugar is found in sweets, cookies, cakes, cold drinks and most processed foods, including not-so-sweet dressings like mustard sauce (sugar is added to enhance the taste). Refined sugar, unfortunately, is not very healthy for you.

What makes natural sugars healthier?

Here’s what makes natural sugars good for you…

Loaded with Nutrients: Natural sugars are not only tasty, but also come with a bonus! They bring along vitamins, minerals and fibre that keep your body healthy. Take fruits, for example, they're like little treats of vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants.

No Sugar Spikes: The fibre in these natural sources slows down sugar absorption into your bloodstream. That means no crazy sugar spikes that leave you feeling all jittery.

No more binge eating: Foods with natural sugars help you stay satisfied for longer, so you're less likely to munch on unhealthy snacks. There is a lower chance that you’ll binge on a bowl of fruits than a tub of ice cream.

Balanced Diet: These sugars are found in foods with a well-rounded nutritional profile, making your diet more balanced and nourishing.

No Sneaky Additives: Unlike refined sugars, natural sugars don't have any nasty chemicals or artificial stuff added to them.

Weight-Friendly: They're lighter on calories compared to refined sugars, making them a friendlier choice for weight management.

So, when you're craving something sweet, reach for those natural sugars – they're a delicious way to treat yourself while staying healthy. Just remember to enjoy them in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. Savour your guilt free treats.

Video

People who eat the more fruits are healthier and have a lower risk of metaoblic diseases

Is the sugar you use everyday healthy or unhealthy?

The white sugar found in grocery stores is not the same as the natural sugars found in fruits or honey.

The sugar you commonly use is industrially produced from sugar cane. The process is called refining and it strips away the vitamins, minerals, proteins and other beneficial nutrients that your body needs.

What remains is a concentrated and unnatural substance which your body isn't designed to handle.

Since refined sugar doesn't have any fibre and nutrients, refined sugar gets into your bloodstream super fast, causing your blood sugar levels to spike. The more the glucose spikes your body experiences, the faster you age and it keeps increasing the risk of pre-diabetes and Type 2 diabetes.

Video

In this video, Jessie Inchauspé popularly known as Glucose goddess explains what causes glucose spikes and the impact of glucose spikes on your body.

What is the environmental impact of refined sugar?

Not everything about sugar is sweet! The modern refining process of sugar leaves a significant footprint on our planet. Check out some key factors:

Chemicals concerns: During refining, chemicals like sulphur dioxide and phosphoric acid are used to clean up the sugar. But here's the catch - these chemicals end up contaminating our water sources!

Troubled Waters: Sugar refining guzzles up massive amounts of water and what comes out as wastewater is loaded with harmful substances like chlorides and nitrates. It's not just aquatic life that pays the price and we're left with unfit water bodies.

Loss of biodiversity: The demand for sugarcane plantations leads to deforestation, wiping out natural habitats and threatening biodiversity. Sadly, sugar production ranks as the top cause of biodiversity loss among crops.

Soil Fertility gone: Intensive sugarcane farming can wreak havoc on soil quality, causing erosion and fertility loss. Just look at Papua New Guinea, where soil fertility has dipped by 40% in just 30 years, all thanks to sugar production.

Who knew that our sweet tooth could have such a sour impact on the environment?

How was sugar made by our ancestors?

Ancient Indians perfected the technique of crystallising sugar from sugarcane. The sweet juice was extracted by crushing the cane. This juice was then boiled down to concentrate the sugar content. The resulting syrup (molasses) was allowed to cool and crystallise.

The traditional sugar refining processes removed most of the impurities and other unwanted substances while retaining most of the natural nutrients present in the sugar cane through a simpler process without using any chemicals.

Video

Indians started extracting sugar in the first millennium BC. They perfected the art of sugar making in 350 AD and shared their knowledge with travelers from different parts of the world.

What are Conscious alternatives to refined sugar?

Here are some fantastic options to sweeten your life in a healthier way:

Naturally processed Sugar (country sugar)
Naturally processed Jaggery
Honey (unadulterated)