The popularity of brown sugar has recently increased. The trend of using brown sugar in the culinary world is triggered by drinks bubble tea who use it as a sweetener. But, what exactly is brown sugar? Come on, recognize the difference between this type of sugar and regular sugar, and its various benefits.
Brown sugar has long been used as a sweetener in various processed foods and beverages. This sugar is believed to be healthier than white granulated sugar.
Difference between Brown Sugar and White Sugar
Brown sugar is a type of sugar that is produced from the crystallization of sugarcane juice. The source is the same as white granulated sugar, but in the manufacturing process there are several different stages.
The difference in the stages of making brown sugar with white sugar is in the process of adding molasses. Molasses is a dark brown liquid which is the result of filtering sugarcane juice. The addition of molasses is what produces a brownish color in the sugar.
In addition to providing color, the process of adding molasses also provides additional nutrients to sugar, such as calcium, potassium, and iron. These additional nutrients add to the selling point of brown sugar.
Various Benefits of Brown Sugar
In addition to giving color to the dish, brown sugar with nutrients in it also provides various benefits, including:
Keep blood pressure stable
The potassium content in brown sugar is believed to keep blood pressure stable. However, the potassium level in brown sugar is relatively low, so you are still advised to eat potassium-rich foods, such as bananas, oranges, avocados, broccoli, and chicken, to supplement potassium needs.
Maintain bone health
Brown sugar also contains calcium which is beneficial for maintaining the health of your bones. Adequate calcium intake can keep your bones strong and prevent osteoporosis.
However, don't rely on brown sugar as your calcium source. There are many other types of foods and drinks, such as broccoli, spinach, kale, tofu, low-fat milk, and yogurt, which are also rich in calcium and are safe for regular consumption.
Increase hemoglobin production
The iron contained in brown sugar is needed for the formation of hemoglobin. In addition, iron also plays a role in the body's metabolic processes.
However, the iron content in brown sugar is also relatively small, so you need to meet your iron needs from other foods, such as spinach, broccoli, clams, and chicken liver.
Although brown sugar has better nutritional content and benefits than white granulated sugar, don't consume it in excess. The calorie content in brown sugar is not much different from white granulated sugar, so if consumed in excess, it can cause obesity.
If you have certain health conditions, such as diabetes, you should first consult with your doctor before consuming brown sugar.
