Brown Sugar for Diabetes: Is It Better Than White? (2024)

FAQs

Brown Sugar for Diabetes: Is It Better Than White? ›

For people with diabetes, the use of brown sugar has no healthier effects than white sugar. Users should note that any added sugars should be limited as part of a healthy, well-rounded diet. Excess sugar intake is strongly linked to the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver disease.

Despite slight differences in taste, brown and white sugar have a very similar nutrient profile and effect on blood sugar levels. Therefore, brown sugar does not provide any benefits to people with diabetes. Everyone — but especially people with this condition — should moderate their sugar intake for optimal health.

While they are produced differently, resulting in distinct tastes, colors, and culinary uses, brown sugar is often simply processed white sugar with molasses. Contrary to common belief, they are nutritionally similar. Brown sugar contains slightly more minerals than white sugar but will not provide any health benefits.

Agreeing, Dr Nair said that even though brown sugar is safe and well-tolerated by most healthy adults when consumed in balance, “excessive use may increase the risk of weight gain, yeast infections, and diabetes“.

Fructose in processed foods and beverages has been linked to several negative health effects, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease. Consuming fructose may also increase feelings of hunger and sugar cravings.

For people with diabetes, the use of brown sugar has no healthier effects than white sugar. Users should note that any added sugars should be limited as part of a healthy, well-rounded diet. Excess sugar intake is strongly linked to the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver disease.

Although pure honey has a lower glycemic index than white sugar, it can still cause your glucose levels to spike if you consume too much or your blood sugar is not well-controlled. If you have diabetes, choosing raw honey that does not contain added sugars is the way to go.

Stevia is perhaps the most well known, but there's also allulose, monk fruit, and yacon syrup to consider.

Generally, there's no advantage to substituting honey for sugar in a diabetes eating plan. Both honey and sugar will affect your blood sugar level.

What sugar is healthiest? ›

Sugars that have undergone less processing, such as cane sugar, turbinado sugar, and coconut sugar, tend to have a higher content of minerals and antioxidant compounds, albeit very limited.

So is there a definitive answer to which is healthier, honey or sugar? Both should be consumed in limited amounts. Honey may have a slight edge, but excess consumption of either is more dangerous to your health than the advantage of choosing one over the other.

Brown sugar is moister and provide deeper sweet notes. It is an ideal choice of sweetener to add richness to your brew if you do not use dairy or creamers. Raw sugar is especially suited to a good, strong-brewed dark roast or Espresso.

Brown sugar when consumed in limited quantity is safe and well-tolerated by most healthy adults. However, if consumed in large amounts may increase the risk of weight gain, yeast infections and diabetes.

No. Brown and white sugar have essentially the same nutritional profile. Brown sugar has trace amounts of minerals, but you'd have to eat much more sugar than is recommended to get enough minerals to benefit you.

The new study — drawing on clinical trials, basic science, and animal studies — concludes that fructose is more damaging to health than glucose. Lucan and DiNicolantonio lay out a series of findings that show the digestive tract doesn't absorb fructose as well as other sugars. More fructose then goes into the liver.

Sugars that have undergone less processing, such as cane sugar, turbinado sugar, and coconut sugar, tend to have a higher content of minerals and antioxidant compounds, albeit very limited.

Too much sweetener: Adding sweeteners that contain calories, like sugar, honey, brown sugar, or syrup, can significantly raise your blood glucose levels. Cream: Using cream or whole milk to make oatmeal can add extra calories and fat.