Sugars (clockwise from top-left): white refined, unrefined, brown, unprocessed cane sugar Sugar (/ ʃʊɡər /) is a class of sweet-tasting, soluble carbohydrates, many of which are used in food. Simple sugars, also called monosaccharides, include glucose, fructose and galactose. Compound sugars, also called disaccharides or double sugars, are molecules made of two bonded monosaccharides ...

Understanding the Context

Sugar, any of numerous sweet, colorless, water-soluble compounds present in the sap of seed plants and the milk of mammals and making up the simplest group of carbohydrates. The most common sugar is sucrose, a crystalline tabletop and industrial sweetener used in foods and beverages. Less processed sugars like honey, date sugar, and coconut sugar provide small amounts of nutrients, making them a healthier alternative to table sugar. What is the difference between types of sugar?

Key Insights

Find out if some are healthier than others and what it can mean for your health. What Are the Different Types of Sugar? Added and Natural Sugars - WebMD Data indicate that Americans eat and drink too much added sugar. How much people consume varies by age, race, and ethnicity. Consuming too much added sugar can contribute to health problems such as weight gain and obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

Final Thoughts

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans has recommendations for limiting added sugar intake across the lifespan. Sugar 101 What Is Sugar? Let’s take a closer look at sugar to understand what it is from the most fundamental level–its origin and structure. What is Sugar? What is Sucrose? Is Sugar a Carb?

| Sugar.org