Is Brown Sugar Good for Diabetes?

Introduction:

Misconceptions about brown and white sugar are prevalent.

Although they’re produced from the same sources, brown sugar is often touted as a natural, healthy alternative to white sugar.

Understanding their differences and health effects is especially important if you have diabetes.

This article explains whether brown sugar is better than white sugar if you have diabetes.

Similar nutrient profile

Compared with brown sugar, white sugar is slightly higher in carbs and calories and slightly lower in nutrients. However, the nutritional differences are negligible.

Both increase blood sugar levels

Brown and white sugar are both composed of sucrose, which may spike blood sugar levels.

Should you choose one over the other?

Both brown and white sugar are considered added sugars, which are associated with decreased insulin sensitivity and a higher risk of several chronic conditions.

The bottom line

Despite slight differences in taste,brown and white sugar have a very similar nutrient profile and effect on blood sugar levels.

Therefore, brown sugar does not provide any benefits to people with diabetes.

Everyone but especially people with this condition should moderate their sugar intake for optimal health.

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/brown-sugar-for-diabetics