Nutritional Properties of Unprocessed Sugar
Conventional white sugar is stripped of all nutrients during processing. To create a clean, white, uniform product, manufacturers extract the juice from sugar cane or beets, then send it through a multi-step process that includes boiling, filtering, bleaching and carbonating. Unprocessed sugar is made from evaporated cane juice 2. The lack of processing creates a product that still retains some of the nutrients found in the sugar cane plant. Unprocessed sugar is still sugar, however, and should be consumed in moderation.
Calories and Macronutrients
Evaporated cane sugar is equal to sugar in terms of calories 2. It contains 16 calories per teaspoon, just like granulated sugar. Unprocessed sugar contains no fat or protein. It is 100 percent carbohydrates, with 4 grams per teaspoon. Because it is slightly sweeter than granulated sugar, so you might use less, evaporated cane sugar might help you save a few calories.**
- Evaporated cane sugar is equal to sugar in terms of calories 2.
- It contains 16 calories per teaspoon, just like granulated sugar.
Vitamins and Minerals
Calories in 1/4 Cup Sugar
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Processed sugar is stripped of its molasses, from which any nutrition sugar does provide exists. Unprocessed sugar is not a nutritional powerhouse, however. It provides mineral salts and only trace amounts of minerals. A particular type of unprocessed sugar, called Sucanat and produced through a patented method, provides potassium, but not in amounts large enough to impact your diet.
- Processed sugar is stripped of its molasses, from which any nutrition sugar does provide exists.
Other Unprocessed Sugars
Date sugar comes from dehydrated dates that are pulverized into a sugar. Coconut palm sugar is another unprocessed option harvested from the sap of palm trees. It has a lower glycemic index than granulated sugar, meaning it does not cause sharp spikes in your blood sugar levels.
Considerations
What Is Concentrated Sugar?
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Sugar labeled as "raw" in the U.S. has been purified to remove any potential contaminants and is thus still processed. Brown sugar is simply white sugar with some molasses added back in, so it too is processed. Demerara sugar and turbinado sugar are other raw sugars that might have undergone steam-cleaning before packaging. These sugars are close to being unprocessed, but are not as pure as raw cane syrup.
- Sugar labeled as "raw" in the U.S. has been purified to remove any potential contaminants and is thus still processed.
- Demerara sugar and turbinado sugar are other raw sugars that might have undergone steam-cleaning before packaging.
Related Articles
References
- "Vegetarian Times"; "Dear Sproutman: You're Too Sweet"; Steve Meyerowitz; September 1987
- "Glamour"; "Ask Dr. G: Is "Evaporated Cane Juice" Any Better Than Sugar?"; Sarah Jio; January 2009
- Ask the Dietitian; "Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners"; Joanne Larsen
- "Biggest Loser Dessert Cookbook: More Than 80 Healthy Treats That Satisfy"; Devin Alexander et al.; 2010
- Sugars, granulated. USDA FoodData Central. Updated 12/16/2019
- Carbohydrates. Medline Plus. Updated March 13, 2020
- Food Availability and Consumption. United States Department of AgricultureEconomic Research Service. Updated February 28, 2020
- Know Your Limit for Added Sugars. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated April 3, 2019
- Wölnerhanssen BK, Meyer-gerspach AC. Health effects of sugar consumption and possible alternatives. Ther Umsch. 2019;76(3):111-116. doi:10.1024/0040-5930/a001070
- Delli Bovi AP, Di Michele L, Laino G, Vajro P. Obesity and obesity related diseases, sugar consumption and bad oral health: A fatal epidemic mixtures: The pediatric and odontologist point of view. Transl Med UniSa. 2017;16:11–16. Published 2017 Jul 1.
- Key Recommendations: Components of Healthy Eating Patterns. USDA. Dietary Guidelines 2015-2020
- The New and Improved Nutrition Facts Label – Key Changes. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Updated March 2020
- Allergy/Intolerance to Sugar. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Updated 5/7/2019
- Sugar, granulated. FoodKeeper App. FoodSafety.gov Updated April 26, 2019
Writer Bio
Andrea Boldt has been in the fitness industry for more than 20 years. A personal trainer, run coach, group fitness instructor and master yoga teacher, she also holds certifications in holistic and fitness nutrition.