White and brown - the two most commonly used types of sugar in Bulgaria. As with most misleading products, according to the majority, brown sugar falls into the category of "brown" foods - brown rice, rye bread, etc., therefore it is more useful, more harmless and can be consumed more. Is that really so?
Raw sugar is obtained from sugar cane. Its color is brownish when formed. This is due to the presence of molasses - a viscous, thick syrup, which is obtained by refining sugar cane, sugar beets and grapes and is also known as "vegetable" honey.
Sugar producers process all their produce, leaving it white. Brown sugar is made when the molasses returns to the bleached sugar. The different taste of white and brown sugar is due only to the absence or presence of molasses - white is lighter, and brown is more intensely sweet and richer in taste. Brown sugar has a different consistency - it is more moist and grainy, unlike dry sandy-crystalline white sugar.
Although many people consider brown sugar to be healthier, the truth is that their nutritional values vary negligibly. White sugar is 99.9% pure sucrose, while brown sugar is 97% sucrose, 2% water and 1% other compounds.
A teaspoon of white sugar contains 16 kilocalories, while the same amount of brown sugar contains 17 kilocalories.
Molasses in brown sugar contains some minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron, but are in too small concentrations to be used by the body.
The final choice between the two products should not be based so much on one percent mineral content of brown sugar or one kilocalorie less than white - these values are insignificant for human health. Some people prefer brown sugar because of the richer taste and color it brings to the pastries, others are fans of the pure taste of white sugar.
After all, it doesn't matter which one you use, it's important not to overdo it. The recommended amounts are 20-25 grams of sugar per day for men and 13-18 grams per day for women. Any overconsumption of any type of sugar in raw form or in sweetened foods and beverages leads to obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other health problems.