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Sugar is the primary fuel of the human body.
There is an array of different carbohydrates, which are broken down into sugar for the creation of ATP. Your brain runs on glucose (sugar). For simple cognitive functions. |
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Sugars are characterized by the simplicity of the molecule.
Monosaccharides
are the simplest sugar molecules and the basic unit
from which ALL carbohydrates are built from.
There are 3 primary MONOSACCHARIDES
They are all ISOMERS of each other, meaning they all have the same chemical formula:
C6H12O6
They are all ISOMERS of each other, meaning they all have the same chemical formula:
C6H12O6
GLUCOSE
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FRUCTOSE
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GALACTOSE
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• Which means they can be converted into each other, and into glycogen, in human metabolism •
These simple sugars ( monosaccharides ) are arranged in different combinations and structures
to create more complex sugars.
DISACCHARIDES
are linkages of 2 monosaccharides
There are 2 primary DISACCHARIDES
SUCROSE
( 1 Glucose + 1 Fructose )
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LACTOSE
( 1 Glucose + 1 Galactose )
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Some of these sugars have come under fire for supposedly being the cause of health issues.
Two examples are table sugar and high fructose corn syrup.
These two sweeteners are frequently blamed for a host of medical issues,
from obesity, to autoimmune disorders, to cancer.
Often, individuals claim that people should look for ‘healthier’ alternatives
such as honey or cane sugar.
The reality?
Cane sugar and table sugar contain the exact same sugar profile:
sucrose, which is a 1:1 ratio of glucose and fructose.
Cane sugar is simply derived solely from sugar cane,
whereas table sugar can also be derived from sugar beets.
Honey has also a nearly 1:1 ratio of glucose to fructose,
and when compared to the ‘villain’ high fructose corn syrup,
it is almost identical in sugar composition.
Demonization of high fructose corn syrup and table sugar,
while simultaneously recommending honey and cane sugar, is just not appropriate.
All four of these sweeteners have almost identical sugar compositions.
Sugar is sugar!
Whether it be from honey, cane sugar, table sugar, or high fructose corn syrup.
Your body doesn’t know what the source is, only what the molecules need to be digested into.
People who claim otherwise are ignoring biochemistry.
Two examples are table sugar and high fructose corn syrup.
These two sweeteners are frequently blamed for a host of medical issues,
from obesity, to autoimmune disorders, to cancer.
Often, individuals claim that people should look for ‘healthier’ alternatives
such as honey or cane sugar.
The reality?
Cane sugar and table sugar contain the exact same sugar profile:
sucrose, which is a 1:1 ratio of glucose and fructose.
Cane sugar is simply derived solely from sugar cane,
whereas table sugar can also be derived from sugar beets.
Honey has also a nearly 1:1 ratio of glucose to fructose,
and when compared to the ‘villain’ high fructose corn syrup,
it is almost identical in sugar composition.
Demonization of high fructose corn syrup and table sugar,
while simultaneously recommending honey and cane sugar, is just not appropriate.
All four of these sweeteners have almost identical sugar compositions.
Sugar is sugar!
Whether it be from honey, cane sugar, table sugar, or high fructose corn syrup.
Your body doesn’t know what the source is, only what the molecules need to be digested into.
People who claim otherwise are ignoring biochemistry.
Here are the chemical compositions of some of the more popular sugars.
As you can see, they’re all very, very similar.
White sugar AKA sucrose is 50% glucose and 50% fructose.
Maple syrup is 51.5% glucose and 49.5% fructose.
High fructose corn syrup is 45% glucose and 55% fructose.
Agave nectar is 12% glucose and 88% fructose.
Brown sugar is 49.5% glucose and 49.5% fructose.
Honey is 44.5% glucose and 50.5% fructose.
Coconut sugar is around 80% sucrose,
which breaks down to 40% glucose and 40% fructose.
Remember, Sugar is sugar!