The main difference between coconut sugar and regular sugar is that coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index than regular sugar. This means coconut sugar will have a lower impact on your blood glucose level.
Nowadays, coconut sugar has become a popular alternative to regular sugar due to its flavour and apparent health benefits. Most consider coconut sugar to be more natural, healthier option than regular sugar.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Coconut Sugar
– Definition, Features, Benefits
2. What is Regular Sugar
– Definition, Features
3. What is the Difference Between Coconut Sugar and Regular Sugar
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Coconut Sugar, Regular Sugar
What is Coconut Sugar
Coconut sugar is a natural sugar. The source of it is the sap of flower buds in the coconut palm tree. Making of coconut sugar is a natural process that involves two main steps. First, the liquid sap collected via a cut made on the flower of the coconut palm. Then this sap is left under moderate heat to evaporate most of its water content. Coconut sugar has a caramel colour and tastes like brown sugar. It is granulated, and the particle size is variable.
If we look at the chemical content of the coconut sugar, 70 – 79% of it is sucrose, while the rest contains glucose and fructose molecules. Moreover, there is no difference between coconut sugar and white sugar in their calorie and carbohydrates content. Both serve 16 calories and 4 grams of carbohydrates per teaspoon. However, it is important to note that coconut sugar has a glycemic index of 35, which is lower than the glycemic index of regular sugar. That means coconut sugar will not spike your blood glucose and insulin.
What is Regular Sugar
Regular sugar is white, granulated sugar we commonly use as a sweetener. We also call this as white sugar, table sugar or granulated sugar. It is made of either cane sugar or beet sugar and undergoes a refining process.
Regular sugar is basically sucrose. Sucrose is a simple carbohydrate that plants produce through photosynthesis. Sugar canes and sugar beets have the highest content of sucrose. This is why we use them to make sugar. Moreover, table sugar has a glycemic index of around 60. Unlike coconut sugar, it can cause a spike in your blood sugar levels. Furthermore, it’s important to know that excessive sugar can have many adverse effects on your health.
Difference Between Coconut Sugar and Regular Sugar
Definition
Coconut sugar is a natural sugar obtained from the sap of flower buds in the coconut palm tree while regular sugar is granulated white sugar in a form commonly used as a domestic sweetener and consisting almost entirely of sucrose.
Source
We obtain coconut sugar from the coconut palm tree and regular sugar from cane sugar or beet sugar.
Colour
Coconut sugar has a brown/caramel colour while regular has a white colour.
Processing
Regular sugar is claimed to go through more processing than coconut sugar.
Glycemic Index
Coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index than regular sugar.
Conclusion
Coconut sugar is a natural sugar obtained from the sap of flower buds in the coconut palm tree while granulated white sugar in a form commonly used as a domestic sweetener and consisting almost entirely of sucrose. The main difference between coconut sugar and regular sugar is that coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index than regular sugar. That means coconut sugar will have a lower impact on your blood glucose level.
Reference:
1. Gunnars, Kris. “Coconut Sugar — A Healthy Sugar Alternative or a Big, Fat Lie?” Healthline, 2018, Available here.
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