What comes
to mind when you think of sugar? If you’re like me you think of the white crystally stuff you sprinkle on cereal. What makes that piece of candy sweet? What are the names of sugar? Outside of sugar, how many words of sugar can you name? This article is one of several discussing many, if not all, of the names of sugar you will find in the products you buy at the grocery store.
Manufacturers have come up with many product names to hide the white crystally stuff. Our food is more processed and sweetened than ever before. It only makes sense to see that the more sugar you eat, the greater chance your blood sugar will rise. The greater opportunity you will begin to move into type 2 diabetes. Studies have shown type 2 diabetes in the world has risen with the levels of processed foods. One of the items in food that is processed is sugar products.
If you aren’t up to date on the various products that are sugar based, you may not realize the amount of sugar in a product. So to make your life a little easier this article will give you a brief summary of the product names that ultimately find their way into your food products. So here we go.
Agave nectar – This sounds like something that is for the Gods. Agave is a plant found in the southwestern states and Mexico. It is used to make tequila, it can’t be all that bad then, is it? It is said the plant can provide health benefits. When It is in processing into agave nectar, also known as agave syrup, it loses the healthy benefits. It is high in fructose.
The effects of sugar in general have less to do with the symptoms of the glycemic index than with the large amounts of fructose and Agave. A lot of people think that the glycemic index is what causes sugar-related issues when in reality it’s more about fructose and agave. Although agave sugar may appear to be a healthier alternative to regular sugar, research has shown that it is actually the least healthy sweetener in the world. Agave sugar is high in fructose, which can lead to health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
Barley malt – isn’t the worst type of sugar, but it is still sugar and delivers glucose into the blood. Its GI is 40 which is half of white sugar. Barley malt is roughly half as sweet as white sugar. The good news and bad news are, you may be included to double the amount of barley malt to make your baked goods as sweet as if you used white sugar. The bottom line it is still sugar and you should limit barley malt.
Beet sugar – ingesting too much sugar of any kind can have deleterious effects on your health. Therefore, you should be discerning about how much sugar you consume, regardless of its source. Excess sugar intake can lead to problems such as obesity, Type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, among others. So it’s important to be mindful of your sugar consumption and make sure that you are getting a healthy mix of nutrients in your diet.
Brown sugar – Nutritionists and health professionals have long understood the impact of sugary foods on blood sugar levels. However, few realize that both brown and white sugar can cause these spikes. Sucrose, or table sugar, is made up of two types of simple sugars – fructose and glucose. Because of this, it has a high rating on the diabetic glycemic index. This means that just like some carbs, too much sugar can quickly raise your blood sugar levels.
Cane juice – Although sugarcane juice has some health benefits to offer, such as being a good source of vitamins and minerals, it may not be the best choice for someone struggling with diabetes. This is because sugarcane juice is also high in natural sugars, which can cause blood sugar levels to spike. Sugar cane is composed of mostly water, however, approximately 15% of sugar cane is made up of natural sugar called sucrose as well as fiber.
Caramel – Caramel is burnt sugar. Caramel is often seen as a healthier alternative to sugar, but in reality, it is just as bad for you. Caramel is basically empty calories, it has no nutritional value whatsoever. The same problems as sugar exist with caramel, such as the potential to cause weight gain, cavities, and diabetes.
Carob syrup – Carob is a sweet, healthy choice for people with diabetes or who are trying to reduce sugar in their diet. Carob does not have the same effect on blood sugar as chocolate does, making it a healthier option for those trying to cut down on sugar. Although carob does have some sugar, it contains a much lower amount of sugar than other sweets and snacks. In addition, research has shown that the glycemic index for carob is very low. Therefore, carob poses less of a threat to people with diabetes.
Castor sugar – Caster sugar, also sometimes called simply granulated sugar, is a type of fine-grained sugar that is widely available in the United Kingdom. It is often used in baking because it dissolves more quickly than other types of sugar, making it ideal for use in custards and other desserts where a smooth texture is desired. It is still sugar based and best to look for a sugar substitute.
This is a short list of sugar ingredients you can find in processed products and recipes. As a diabetic watching for sugars needs to be part of your due diligence when purchasing foods and or making recipes. The more you can learn about sugars the better you will be able to control your blood sugar. One key comment I found while researching “What are the names of sugar” was to be aware of how you react when trying new foods and recipes. That is the best way to know how your blood sugar reacts.
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Read more: Healthy Home, Healthline, WebMD
