Bahar Saygilier /Sugar consumption is almost like a part of our culture. Our indispensable traditional desserts such as baklava are made with sherbet with lots of sugar, and we add flavor to our olive oil dishes by adding a single cut of sugar.
We usually consume our tea and coffee, which we consume throughout the day, with sugar, but Nutrition and Diet Specialist Muhammed Şahin warns us about sugar with capital letters, just like other experts: “WHITE SUGAR IS EXTREMELY HARMFUL FOR YOUR HEALTH”
WHAT ABOUT BROWN SUGAR? IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE LESS HARMFUL?
Dietitian Muhammed Şahin:He answers the question “I think neither should be used, because both are unhealthy types of carbohydrates”.
The experts’ point of view on sugar is clear! Whether it’s brown sugar or white sugar… Consuming less sugar is very important for your health. By learning more and more accurately about sugars, you can make better choices for your health.
WHY ARE SUGAR HARMFUL?
Sugar, that is, table sugar as we know it, is a type of carbohydrate that is a main nutrient (macronutrient). Carbohydrates are sources that give our body quick energy. Carbohydrate sources are not just bread, pasta and rice. Foods such as grains, fruits and legumes are also good sources of carbohydrates.
Nutrition and Diet Specialist Muhammed Şahin says, “We, dietitians, generally divide carbohydrates into two groups as simple and complex carbohydrates.”
Complex carbohydrates are a relatively difficult type of carbohydrate to digest. The rate of mixing of sugar into our blood is slower. Due to these features, we can say that it is both more satisfying and healthier, especially the intestines. It is found in foods such as whole wheat, beans, chickpeas, whole oats, etc.
dit. Şahin, before explaining the properties of simple carbohydrates, which are very weak in terms of satiety and long-term satiety, besides complex carbohydrates, states that such carbohydrates are in the dangerous group for health and underlines that although he does not prohibit them, he does not recommend them to his clients.
Sugar, corn sugar, milk sugar and granulated sugar in honey and fruit count as simple carbohydrates . It is digested very easily, quickly mixes with the blood and raises blood sugar rapidly. This causes a sudden rise, a sudden fall. Because of this feature, simple carbohydrates cause people to feel hungry quickly and reduce the feeling of satiety. Simple carbohydrates generally have a sweet taste. Simple carbohydrates are unhealthy sources of carbohydrates, but they occupy a large place in our lives culturally and socially. Personally, as a dietitian, I would like to point out that although I do not prohibit it, I do not recommend its consumption.
WHAT IS WHITE AND BROWN SUGAR?
Dyt, where we asked what white sugar and brown sugar were. Şahin first explains the general properties of sugar for us.
Sugar is a term that includes all sweet carbohydrates, but the term is most often used to describe sucrose or table sugar. Sugar is the general name for sweet, soluble carbohydrates used in most foods and beverages. Sugar is found in most plants, but the ikj main crops that have enough sugar to produce processed sugar are sugar cane and sugar beets. 70% of the world’s sugar is produced from sugar cane.
dit. Şahin states that both white sugar and brown sugar are obtained from sugar cane or sugar beet. White and brown sugar are obtained from the same crops, but brown sugar contains molasses content and some added vitamins and minerals. Here is a fact that we would not like to hear much, Dyt Şahin summarizes for us more clearly.
Both white sugar and brown sugar are simple carbohydrates, which we can define as unhealthy carbohydrates. However, brown sugar is less processed than white. This is the main difference.
When we look at the calorie values of white sugar and brown sugar, the difference between them is almost negligible.
- 100 g white sugar 400 calories
- 100 grams of brown sugar contains 380 calories.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE OF BROWN SUGAR?
Dyt Şahin states that although there is not much difference in terms of calories, white sugar consists only of sugar, and brown sugar, unlike white sugar, contains potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium and iron, as well as vitamin B12, niacin, pantotheinc acid and choline.
The color difference between brown sugar and white sugar comes from these ingredients.
Dietitian Muhammed Şahin, stating that all kinds of simple sugar consumption is harmful to health, said, “As a result, the two are the same thing, there is a negligible difference. Instead of striving to choose brown sugar as the healthy choice, we should not consume it at all, or if we are going to consume it, we should consume it in very small quantities and rarely.” says.
