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This is an article that I've glommed off the web, Honey vs. sugar. It has been slightly edited and abridged but I've tried to remain unbiased even though I'm a bee keeper.
(Sometimes you've just got to recognise who's side you're on)
When you brew a cup of hot tea, do you reach for honey or sugar? Although both may add sweetness to your drink, their nutritional benefits vary.
Honey and sugar are both carbohydrates composed primarily of glucose and fructose. They’re used as ingredients in many prepackaged foods and recipes. Both can result in weight gain if overused.
Honey’s reputation for being healthier may have some basis, but honey isn’t considered a health food. So which is healthier? Here’s what you need to know.
Honey basics
Bees use the nectar they collect from flowers to create honey. This thick substance is typically consumed in liquid form and can range in color from pale yellow to dark brown.
Honey is composed primarily of water and two sugars: fructose and glucose. It also contains trace amounts of:
The exact nutritional makeup of honey varies based on its origin. There are more than 300 varieties of honey, including:
No matter which type you prefer, any kind of honey can spike blood sugar levels.
What are the benefits of honey?
Pros
Raw, unpasteurized honey contains trace amounts of local pollen, which may help desensitize allergic reactions.
Honey also provides additional health benefits:
It may help kill off germs because it has antimicrobial properties.
Are there downsides to honey?
Cons
Honey may be dangerous for infants younger than a year. This is because it contains bacterial spores that can cause botulism in infants.
Additionally, honey’s stickiness may make it a messy choice for households with small children.
Sugar basics
Sugar is made up of a combination of glucose and fructose, which bond together to form sucrose. It has no added vitamins or nutrients.
A calorie-dense carbohydrate, sugar is derived from sugar beet and sugar cane plants. It requires multistep processing before it becomes the refined, granulated table sugar that we use most often.
Of the many different types of sugar, white, brown, and raw sugar are the most commonly used.
Brown sugar is a combination of white sugar and molasses, and may have some trace nutrients. It’s used primarily in baking.
Raw sugar is a less-refined version of white sugar. It’s light brown in color and contains larger crystals. Raw sugar doesn’t vary nutritionally from white sugar.
Other types of sugar include powdered, turbinado, and muscovado sugar.
What are the benefits of sugar?
Pros
White sugar has a long shelf life and is easy to use in baking and cooking. Sugar is typically low cost and easily accessible.
Are there downsides to sugar?
Cons
People with diabetes should watch their sugar consumption, as it can cause blood sugar to spike.
If consumed in quantities greater than your body needs, sugar can provide a quick burst of fuel followed by a sharp drop in energy. Your body may find sugar harder to digest than honey, because it doesn’t contain enzymes.
Tips for cutting down on sweeteners
Many people reach for sugar and honey out of habit. We get used to the taste in our beverages and food, and miss that jolt of sweet when we forgo them. Rather than eliminating either one completely, it may help to reduce your intake.
Try using half a teaspoon of honey in tea or half a teaspoon of sugar in coffee, instead of a full serving. You can try the same trick with breakfast cereal and yogurt. If you use sugar when baking, reducing the amount by one-third may have less impact on taste than you might expect.
The bottom line
These two widely used sweeteners have very different tastes and textures. You may find that you enjoy the molasses taste and moisture of brown sugar for baking, yet prefer the gentleness of honey on your morning toast. Experimenting with each while keeping an eye on the amount you use can help you decide which is best for you.
Honey may have a better rep, but both honey and sugar can have negative effects on your health when used in excess. If you have diabetes or heart disease, or you’re concerned about managing your weight, speak with your doctor and dietitian about your dietary needs. They can work with you to develop the best nutritional plan for you.
Article Resources
(Sometimes you've just got to recognise who's side you're on)
When you brew a cup of hot tea, do you reach for honey or sugar? Although both may add sweetness to your drink, their nutritional benefits vary.
Honey and sugar are both carbohydrates composed primarily of glucose and fructose. They’re used as ingredients in many prepackaged foods and recipes. Both can result in weight gain if overused.
Honey’s reputation for being healthier may have some basis, but honey isn’t considered a health food. So which is healthier? Here’s what you need to know.
Honey basics
Bees use the nectar they collect from flowers to create honey. This thick substance is typically consumed in liquid form and can range in color from pale yellow to dark brown.
Honey is composed primarily of water and two sugars: fructose and glucose. It also contains trace amounts of:
- enzymes
- amino acids
- B vitamins
- vitamin C
- minerals
- antioxidants
The exact nutritional makeup of honey varies based on its origin. There are more than 300 varieties of honey, including:
- alfalfa
- wildflower
- tupelo
- golden blossom
- eucalyptus
No matter which type you prefer, any kind of honey can spike blood sugar levels.
What are the benefits of honey?
Pros
- You can use a smaller amount of honey without sacrificing sweetness.
- It contains traces of vitamins and minerals.
- Raw honey may help alleviate your allergies.
Raw, unpasteurized honey contains trace amounts of local pollen, which may help desensitize allergic reactions.
Honey also provides additional health benefits:
It may help kill off germs because it has antimicrobial properties.
- When used as a salve in gel form, it may help promote healing in wounds and minor burns.
- It may also help ease coughing and sore throats.
Are there downsides to honey?
Cons
- Honey is higher in calories.
- It’s primarily made up of sugar.
- It may not be safe for infants younger than a year.
Honey may be dangerous for infants younger than a year. This is because it contains bacterial spores that can cause botulism in infants.
Additionally, honey’s stickiness may make it a messy choice for households with small children.
Sugar basics
Sugar is made up of a combination of glucose and fructose, which bond together to form sucrose. It has no added vitamins or nutrients.
A calorie-dense carbohydrate, sugar is derived from sugar beet and sugar cane plants. It requires multistep processing before it becomes the refined, granulated table sugar that we use most often.
Of the many different types of sugar, white, brown, and raw sugar are the most commonly used.
Brown sugar is a combination of white sugar and molasses, and may have some trace nutrients. It’s used primarily in baking.
Raw sugar is a less-refined version of white sugar. It’s light brown in color and contains larger crystals. Raw sugar doesn’t vary nutritionally from white sugar.
Other types of sugar include powdered, turbinado, and muscovado sugar.
What are the benefits of sugar?
Pros
- Sugar is a naturally occurring substance
- It’s relatively inexpensive
- It has a long shelf life.
White sugar has a long shelf life and is easy to use in baking and cooking. Sugar is typically low cost and easily accessible.
Are there downsides to sugar?
Cons
- Sugar can increase your risk of certain diseases.
- It can cause weight gain.
- It may be harder to digest than honey.
People with diabetes should watch their sugar consumption, as it can cause blood sugar to spike.
If consumed in quantities greater than your body needs, sugar can provide a quick burst of fuel followed by a sharp drop in energy. Your body may find sugar harder to digest than honey, because it doesn’t contain enzymes.
Tips for cutting down on sweeteners
Many people reach for sugar and honey out of habit. We get used to the taste in our beverages and food, and miss that jolt of sweet when we forgo them. Rather than eliminating either one completely, it may help to reduce your intake.
Try using half a teaspoon of honey in tea or half a teaspoon of sugar in coffee, instead of a full serving. You can try the same trick with breakfast cereal and yogurt. If you use sugar when baking, reducing the amount by one-third may have less impact on taste than you might expect.
The bottom line
These two widely used sweeteners have very different tastes and textures. You may find that you enjoy the molasses taste and moisture of brown sugar for baking, yet prefer the gentleness of honey on your morning toast. Experimenting with each while keeping an eye on the amount you use can help you decide which is best for you.
Honey may have a better rep, but both honey and sugar can have negative effects on your health when used in excess. If you have diabetes or heart disease, or you’re concerned about managing your weight, speak with your doctor and dietitian about your dietary needs. They can work with you to develop the best nutritional plan for you.
Article Resources
- Ashkin, E., & Mounsey, A. (2013, March). A spoonful of honey helps a coughing child sleep. The Journal of Family Practice, 62(3), 145-147
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3601686/ - Avena, N. M., Rada, P., & Hoebel, B. G. (2009, January 1). Evidence for sugar addiction: Behavioral neurochemical effects of intermittent, excessive sugar intake. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 32(1), 20-39
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2235907/ - Da Silva, P. M., Gauche, C., Gonzaga, L. V., Costa, A. C., & Fett, R. (2016, April 1). Honey: Chemical composition, stability, and authenticity [Abstract]. Food Chemistry, 196: 309-323
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26593496 - European Food Safety Authority. (2010). Scientific opinion on dietary reference values for carbohydrates and dietary fibre. EFSA Journal 8(3): 1462.
- Glycemic index and diabetes. (2014, May 14)
diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/understanding-carbohydrates/glycemic-index-and-diabetes.html - Goldman, R. D. (2014, December). Honey for treatment of cough in children. Canadian Family Physician, 60(12), 1107-1110
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4264806/ - Higdon, J. (2016, February). Flavonoids
lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/flavonoids - Honey floral source guide. (n.d.)
bjcp.org/mead/floral_guide.pdf - Mandal, D. M., & Mandal, S. (2011, April). Honey: Its medicinal property and antibacterial activity. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 1(2), 154-160
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/ - Stanhope, K. L. (2015, September 17). Sugar consumption, metabolic disease, and obesity: The state of the controversy. Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 53(1), 52-67
tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/10408363.2015.1084990 - Types of sugar and sweeteners. (2016, June 30)
berkeleywellness.com/healthy-eating/food/article/types-sugar-and-sweeteners
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