The basics: Sucrose is a disaccharide, whereas fructose is a category of sugar called a monosaccharide. In animal models it’s linked to leukemia in very high doses. If you want a six-pack, you’re going to need to eat less sugar,” advises St. Pierre. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Pros: Sugar-free and non-caloric, made from the leaves of the stevia plant. Is one really better than the other? Pros: Fans like the syrupy flavor. Whipped cream? Pros: This one gets positive marks. “Honestly, whether you’re talking about coconut sugar or honey or table sugar, these sweeteners are all sugar delivery mechanisms with minor differences,” says Brian St. Pierre, R.D. That may be beneficial if someone has diabetes, but not so much if you don’t, warns St. Pierre. Pros: Some of the molasses leftover from the refining process is added back into the sugar after processing, which provides a darker color and a minor amount of trace nutrients. “Aspartame is on the EPA’s list of potential carcinogens. The main difference between granulated (also know as white table sugar) and caster (also know as super-fine in North America) sugar is the size of the grain. Type: More fructose than glucose (it can be up to 90% fructose). If so what are the results does it make it fluffier or does it not do anything different. Still, according to St. Pierre, one type of sugar isn’t necessarily better than another. It’s bio-active, so it could have some anti-inflammatory compounds and can also help you cut calories,” says St. Pierre. Cons: It’s still a high-calorie sweetener and causes advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which gradually lead to a break down in your collagen. “Sucrose gets broken down into glucose and fructose before going into the blood stream and raising your blood glucose levels. Granulated white sugar. Fructose, on the other hand, doesn’t go into the bloodstream like glucose. “Too much sugar in the form of sucrose, glucose, or fructose can lead to all these problems. Granulated sugar is composed of crystalline grains of sucrose which is a disaccharide containing glucose and fructose. Cons: It’s touted as having a lower glycemic index but this can be misleading. “Some are sucrose, some are fructose, so they affect the body slightly differently.”. It mixes well with tequila, making it a mainstay in artisanal margaritas. Cons: There’s a minor aftertaste that can take getting used to and overusing it could cause you to develop more of a taste for sweets. Cakes, cookies, pies, tarts, muffins, scones, short- rye- wheat- and naan breads welcome! Type: Sucrose. Brown sugar can be bought in every grocery store and even convenience stores. Splenda is sucralose (a sugar molecule mixed with chlorine molecules in a patented process). Summary of Granulated Sugar vs Castor Sugar. Pros: Extracted from the sugarcane plant and not refined. For all your baking needs! a fitness and nutrition coach with Precision Nutrition. Cons: Best known as table sugar and the most common, it is also the most chemically processed and refined of the bunch. Eat the sugar you enjoy in moderation—and eat it slowly and until you’re satisfied. Pros: Made from either sugar cane or sugar beets, it offers the mildest flavor, melts and blends easily into beverages, warm or cold, and is ideal for baking. It’s made from the sap of coconut trees and is less processed because the sap is extracted and then placed in heat to dry, leaving it with a more natural brownish color like raw sugar. Type: An even blend of fructose and glucose. Cons: Not enough nutrients remain to be of benefit. This sugar is commonly used to make dark baked goods, like banana bread or chocolate cake, and is now used in drinks as well because it is considered more “natural” and healthier than granulated sugar. ). It’s not like you’re eating the actual plant. Granulated is larger and more coarse (I once read that granulated is about 0.5mm in diameter while caster is about 0.35mm in diameter, although I’m not really sure who would measure them! “If you’re comparing caloric and non-caloric sweeteners, stevia comes out on top. It still retains some of the molasses and moisture from the plant so technically you’re consuming less sugar and calories per serving, making it healthier, St. Pierre says. Probably won't notice but some people claim you can. Granulated sugar vs. castor sugar: Comparison table. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Pros: “Honey’s calling card is that it has anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties, which is why it can also be used as a cough suppressant or sore throat soother. The health impact they have on you really depends on how much you eat of any of them,” he says. It is better at restoring liver glycogen, though, which is an important satiety signal for the brain,” he explains. It can also contain trace amounts of minerals like magnesium, potassium, and inulin, a prebiotic fiber. But if you’re consuming excess calories and fructose that fructose can get converted to triglycerides, which makes it mildly worse than glucose in that regard. It doesn’t raise blood sugar and it’s natural and beneficial in reasonable amounts. This raw form of sugar is somewhat less processed than table sugar. “It all depends on your size, your goals, and your activity level. High levels of blood sugar can damage blood vessels and lead to cavities and gum disease,” says St. Pierre. Recipes, ideas and all things baking related. Pros: Made from either sugar cane or sugar beets, it offers the mildest flavor, melts and blends easily into beverages, warm or cold, and is ideal for baking. If you want to be moderately fit—say 15% body fat for a man, 23 to 25% for a woman, then you can eat a little more sugar. If so what are the results does it make it fluffier or does it not do anything different. Press J to jump to the feed. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Sucrose usually occurs in sugarcane and fruit. “It has to go to the liver first to be processed into a useable form so it doesn’t raise blood glucose levels. Maltodextrin, which is a corn product and can be genetically modified, is then added as a bulking agent. Also called turbinado sugar, it may come in the form of cane juice, which is often used to sweeten non-dairy milks like almond, hemp, and cashew and in many healthier baking options. Can you use powder sugar instead of granulated in a recipe, assuming you convert the amount properly. Cons: That’s mostly irrelevant in the big picture. While one type doesn’t win hands down, St. Pierre has advised on this scale so you can see how your choices stack up. I’m most leery of it and will only drink a diet soda on a rare occasion and I won’t feed it to my kids,” says St. Pierre. Another plus: Fructose is less likely to cause cavities. It really, truly depends on what you're making. Consider keeping sugars to 5-10% of your calorie intake a day. Manuka and other high-grade honeys often contain more beneficial properties—and overall honey is more of an actual food than sugar,” says St. Pierre. Using Powder Sugar vs Granulated Sugar Can you use powder sugar instead of granulated in a recipe, assuming you convert the amount properly.