Find Out If Brown Sugar is Good for Diabetes

The diagnosis of diabetes often takes away the sweetness from life. While the sweetness is removed people with diabetes always look for a healthier alternative to sugar to bring the sweetness back into their life. One of the healthier alternatives to white sugar for people with diabetes is brown sugar.

Through this article, we will understand the benefits of brown sugar over white sugar.

But before understanding the benefits of brown sugar for diabetes let us understand the nutritional value of brown sugar.

What Is The Nutritional Value Of Brown Sugar Per 100 Gms?

Typically, 100 grams of brown sugar has 380 calories. 

According to the USDA, the nutritional value of one teaspoon (4.6 grams of sugar) is:

Calories: 17.5

Fat -0 grams

Sodium- 1.3 mg

Carbohydrates: 4.5 grams

Fiber: 0

Sugar: 4.5 grams

Carbs

Typically, the calories of brown sugar come from carbohydrates. 100 gms of brown sugar has 380 calories. Also, it has no fiber.

Besides the calories, the glycemic load of brown sugar is around 70, which is high. However, glycemic load mainly depends on portion size, therefore it is essential to monitor your brown sugar intake.

Fat

Brown sugar has 0 fat.

Protein

Brown sugar has no protein.

Vitamins and Minerals

Brown sugar is a mix of white and brown granulated sugar. It has little to no nutritional value, so it’s best to limit how much you eat. Brown sugar has no appreciable levels of micronutrients when ingested in usual amounts.

However, in larger amounts, it may provide some minerals. A 100 gms serving of brown sugar provides 83 milligrams of calcium and smaller amounts of iron, magnesium, selenium, manganese, and potassium.

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What Are The Health Benefits Of Brown Sugar?

Brown sugar is a simple carbohydrate that provides quick energy (glucose) to the body and the brain. However, excess calories and carbohydrates from sugar and other sources are stored as fat in the liver. Therefore it is crucial to consume sugar in moderation.

Sugar is not good for your body. Excess sugar consumption is often blamed for increased rates of disease including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. According to experts, sugar does not increase the risk of disease when consumed in appropriate quantities.

Is Brown Sugar Better Than White Sugar For People With Diabetes?

Brown sugar and white sugar both are carbohydrates obtained from the same source. However brown sugar contains molasses which makes brown sugar different from white sugar.

The molasses does not just give color to the brown sugar it also enhances its taste and nutritional value as brown sugar contains small amounts of calcium, potassium, and iron. However, these nutrients are present in very small amounts. Therefore there is not much benefit to using brown sugar over white sugar.

As both white and brown sugar have high sugar content one must consume them in moderate amounts.

What are the benefits of brown sugar for diabetes?

It is crucial to manage blood sugar levels among people having diabetes. People with diabetes must limit their carbohydrate intake to avoid any spike in their blood sugar levels thereby minimizing the long-term risk of diabetes complications.

Although brown sugar is often considered a healthy alternative to white sugar, there is no scientific evidence that suggests the benefits of brown sugar for diabetes. Brown sugar can cause blood sugar levels to rise because it is still an added sugar.

Therefore, if you have diabetes, eating healthy is essential. One way to maintain healthy blood sugar levels is to limit the portion of carbohydrates and sugar you consume.

Instead of relying on any one meal or ingredient for health advantages, it is essential to focus on a diet full of nutrient-dense whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Other Health Benefits of Brown Sugar

1. Instant boost of energy

As brown sugar is made up of simple carbohydrates which break down into glucose which gives instant energy. 

2. Manages Menstrual Cramps 

Brown sugar has been long considered a natural remedy to manage those painful menstrual cramps when administered with ginger and warm water.

3. Exfoliation

Brown sugar is a natural exfoliant and can be used as a scrub to remove dead cells.

Is Brown Sugar Good For Type 2 Diabetes?

The impact of white sugar and brown sugar on diabetes is almost similar. They both contain almost the same amount of sucrose that can spike blood sugar levels. Irrespective of the sugar you consume you must keep a watch on your sugar intake.

By modifying your diet by ensuring less intake of carbohydrate-rich food you can manage your blood glucose levels. Both brown sugar and white sugar are regarded as sugar additions. They raise the chance of contracting various chronic diseases and lead to a reduction in insulin sensitivity.

Thus the answer to your question “is brown sugar good for diabetes?” is NO. Also one must understand that type 2 diabetes is mainly caused due to improper metabolism of carbohydrates.

So to efficiently manage their blood sugar levels people having type 2 diabetes must watch out for their carbohydrate consumption.

Fittertake

People with diabetes are often in search of a replacement for white sugar to bring back the sweetness in their life. While brown sugar is often considered a healthy alternative it is just a myth. 

However, there are other healthy substitutes for sugar like stevia. If you too are looking for an alternative to sugar and are struggling to manage your blood glucose levels do not worry.

Fitterfly houses some of the best experts who help you make the right choices for efficiently managing your blood sugar levels. You can check out our scientifically designed Diabetes Control Program to know more or simply talk to one of our experts.

Besides ensuring a healthy diet you must also remember that other factors like a sedentary lifestyle, stress, and lack of sleep can also adversely affect your blood glucose levels.