Health is wealth and you always need to know what you are putting inside your stomach. But even the most health-conscious person slips when it comes to sweets. You may have shifted to brown sugar from white refined sugar to serve your cravings because you thought it was healthy. But do you know the brown sugar vs white sugar key differences? Is there really any difference between the two? Here, we have got you covered!
Brown Sugar vs White Sugar : Key Differences
Not only from the nutritional aspect but there are other differences between brown sugar and white sugar as well. Let’s understand these two types of sugar better.
1. Production
Although both sugarcane and sugar beet plants go through the same procedure to produce sugar, the methods are different to make these two types of sugar.
First, the juice is extracted from the plants and then purified. Next, a brown, concentrated syrup or molasses is produced after heating the purified juice. After sugar crystals are produced, they are further processed to get rid of the molasses and produce white sugar.
So, whole, unrefined brown sugar is simply a form of sugar that undergoes less processing than white sugar.
2. Uses
It is easy to distinguish the difference between brown sugar and white sugar in most dishes. They affect the color, flavor, as well as texture of the foods.
For baked goods, molasses in brown sugar can make a real difference as it helps in retaining moisture. So cakes and pastries are generally softer and denser when made with brown sugar. As a result, desserts like meringues, mousses, and soufflés which need adequate rising, need white sugar.
In addition to that, brown sugar is also used in glazes such as barbeque sauce to give it a distinct sweetness and dark color.
Also Read – Health Benefits of Brown Sugar
Brown Sugar and White Sugar Nutrition Facts
Did you know that white and brown sugar actually originate from the same crops i.e. sugarcane or sugar beet plant?
Well, that’s right. In fact, most brown sugar contains white sugar as well as molasses responsible for the darker color. Even molasses is responsible for the nutritional differences between white and brown sugar.
The most notable nutritional difference between the two is that brown sugar has slightly higher calcium, iron, and potassium content.
Calories
White and brown sugar contain nearly the same amount of calories. While brown sugar contains 380 calories per 100 gms, white sugar has 385 calories per 100 gms.
Calcium and Other Minerals
Another benefit of white sugar Vs brown sugar benefit is the amount of calcium each of them provides. While brown sugar offers 83 milligrams of calcium per 100 gms, white sugar can only provide 1 mg per 100 gms. Similarly, most of the other minerals such as iron, are a little higher in brown sugar.
However, if we consider a teaspoon of sugar, then there are minor differences in terms of nutrition between these two types of sugar.
What to Choose?
Even when there are minor differences in terms of nutritional benefits of brown sugar and white sugar, they are hardly noticeable.
Choosing brown sugar over white sugar doesn’t really help your health in the long run. In fact, regardless of the type of sugar you are having, sugar is the main factor behind many severe health issues including type 2 diabetes and cardiac problems. So, it is not to consume more than 5 to 10% of your daily calories from added sugar.
Last Words
However, apart from the health-related concerns, it is completely up to your taste preference when you choose the type of sugar you are having.
