If it's brown, then it's healthier? Unlike flour and rice, this does not apply to sugar. Although sometimes very expensive, brown or yellow sugar should not be considered a healthier alternative.
The amount of calories and carbohydrates in yellow sugar is slightly lower than in white crystal sugar, but yellow sugar can still have a significant effect on blood glucose levels. If you consume it in large quantities, it can cause an increase in blood sugar or hyperglycemia. So it is not for diabetics who need to avoid episodes of hyperglycemia as much as possible.
Why is it brown?
Yellow sugar owes its color to the molasses that remains, i.e. which is added during processing (depending on the manufacturer). Yellow sugar is at best only partially refined, and often as refined as crystal sugar. However, molasses gives it a unique flavor and cooking properties. Molasses is a thick, sweet dark brown or dark green juice that is a by-product, i.e. residue after crystallization in the process of producing sugar from sugar beet or sugar cane.
What does it contain?
Due to the additional molasses, yellow sugar has a slightly higher moisture content than white granulated sugar. The presence of moisture gives it a unique texture, but the moisture does not help reduce the number of calories and carbohydrates. One tablespoon of yellow sugar still contains about 60 calories and 15 grams of carbohydrates, essentially the same as granulated sugar.
Common pitfalls
As with any carbohydrate intake, yellow sugar intake should be carefully measured. It's easy to ingest too much yellow sugar, especially when you add it to other foods. For example, if you eat a cup of cooked porridge for breakfast, you will consume 30 grams of carbohydrates. Adding two tablespoons of brown sugar will double the total amount of carbohydrates to a whopping 60 grams.
Nutrients
Scientific results do not support the idea that yellow sugar is significantly more nutritious than white granulated sugar. Although molasses does contain some minerals and trace elements, the amount of molasses added to brown sugar is not so great as to provide major nutritional benefits. Therefore, when consuming yellow sugar, you should pay attention to the amount, reports Nezavisne.
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