‍From Field to Table‍

Sugarcane, native to tropical regions, undergoes a fascinating journey from the fields to our table. It undergoes harvesting, washing, and juice extraction processes, followed by purification to produce a concentrated syrup. This syrup is then crystallized, centrifuged to separate sugar from molasses, and the resultant sugar crystals are dried and packaged for consumption.

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Refinement and Nutrition

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Refinement purifies sugar by washing, filtering, and crystallizing. While this process grants sugar its pristine white appearance, it also eliminates the molasses. Molasses contains trace minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium.

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Nutritional Implications of Sugar Refinement:

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Loss of Minerals and Vitamins: Raw sugar contains trace amounts of minerals and vitamins, which cane be lost during the refining process. These include small amounts of iron, calcium, and B-vitamins. Furthermore, as it’s refined, “additives such as clarifiers and preservatives are added, which remain in the products and decrease the nutritional quality.”

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Removal of Molasses and coloring: Raw sugar contains molasses, which imparts a distinct flavor and color. Molasses also contain minerals and antioxidants. During refinement, molasses is stripped away, leading to a loss of these nutrients. Furthermore, in order to make sugar whiter, chemical additions like sulfur used during processing (Curi et al., 2017).

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Increase in Calories Without Nutritional Benefit: Refined sugar, often called "empty calories," provides energy without accompanying nutrients. Excessive consumption can lead to weight gain and related health issues.

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What Does the FDA Say?

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The FDA has emphasized that all sugars contribute to the caloric content of food and should be consumed in moderation. While there's a significant debate around "added sugars" in our diet, the FDA has updated its Nutrition Facts label to include a line for “Added Sugars.” This is to aid consumers in understanding the quantity of sugar added to a product during its processing.

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Balance and Moderation

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The FDA and other health organizations worldwide consistently advise that sugars should be consumed in moderation. Overconsumption is linked to various health issues, including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

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Conclusion

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Whether you lean towards the richness of raw sugar or the clean sweetness of refined white sugar, being informed allows for better choices. With the FDA's guidelines and our understanding of sugar's journey, we can approach our sweet indulgences with a balanced perspective. Always remember: it's not just about the sweetness, but the story and science behind it.

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