SUGAR: Refined Sugar  vs. Unrefined Sugar

The 2003 “Diet, Nutrition, and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases” report issued by the World Health Organization concretely linked an increased intake of refined sugar with cancer, diabetes, and obesity. Refined sugars can be found under a number of guises, including sucrose, fructose, corn syrup, white sugar, and high-fructose corn syrup. White sugar (sucrose) is one of the most dangerous refined sugars and has managed to pervade most of the packaged foods we eat.

What is White Sugar?

White sugar (Sucrose) is a highly processed, refined compound derived from sugar cane and/or sugar beet. Both plants contain yellowish brown raw sugar crystals, which are extracted from the crushed plants and bleached with sulphur dioxide before centrifuge machines remove any large impurities such as dirt and animal dung. From here the sugar is passed through sweetened cloths and bathed in phosphoric acid and calcium hydroxide to release the iron present in the sugar. If iron is present in sugar, the crystals will eventually turn gray and it will not be fit for sale. Finally, the liquid sugar is filtered through animal bone charcoals that absorb non-sugar impurities and dried to a white powder. The resulting product is 99.9% sucrose and almost completely void of nutritional elements.

What is Brown Sugar?

Brown sugar is simply refined white sugar mixed with molasses syrup.

Health Risks Associated with Sugar

White sugar suppresses the immune system by decreasing the vitality and number of white blood cells, the body’s immune response to invaders. It makes the body more acidic and feeds bacteria like candida and yeast infections. White sugar drastically raises insulin levels in the body which inhibits the release of growth hormones. Insulin also promotes the storage of fat, so a diet high in refined sugar will most likely result in weight gain and elevated triglyceride levels, both of which have been linked to cardiovascular disease. It upsets the mineral balance in the body, can increase hyperactivity and anxiety, and has been attributed to the development of autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, asthma, and multiple sclerosis. Finally, sugar feeds cancer cells and has been connected with the onset of cancers of the breast, ovaries, prostate, rectum, pancreas, biliary tract, lung, gallbladder and stomach.

What is Evaporated Cane Juice?

Evaporated Cane Juice is produced by boiling and crystallizing the evaporated juice from crushed sugarcanes. It does not undergo the same degree of processing that refined sugar does and therefore retains more of the nutrients found in the sugarcane plant such as riboflavin and B vitamins, amino acids, and fibre. As with any sweetener, Evaporated Cane Juice should be consumed in moderation as  it will still negatively affect insulin levels.

What is Date Sugar?

Date sugar is made from ground, dehydrated dates and, as such, contains all of the vitamins, minerals, and fibre found in the date fruit. Date sugar is metabolized more slowly than white sugar although It will not dissolve completely in liquid. Because of its colour and taste, date sugar is an excellent substitute for brown sugar and can be used in its place in any baking recipe.

Nature’s Fare does not sell refined white sugar or brown sugar. Look for Organic Evaporated Cane Juice and Date Sugar in our grocery department.

SOURCES

http://www.botgard.ucla.edu/html/botanytextbooks/economicbotany/Saccharum/index.html

http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/73/1/White-sugar-vs-raw-sugar.html

http://naturalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/sugars__the_bad