Sugar

Here’s a breakdown of the types of sugar and their benefits:

Type of Sugar	Description & Sources
Glucose	A simple sugar (monosaccharide); primary energy source for the body. Found in fruits, vegetables, and honey.
Fructose	Fruit sugar; naturally found in fruits, honey, and some vegetables. Sweeter than glucose.
Sucrose	Table sugar; a disaccharide made of glucose + fructose. Found in sugar cane, sugar beets, fruits.
Lactose	Milk sugar; found in dairy. Made of glucose + galactose.
Maltose	Found in malted grains; made of two glucose molecules.
High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)	Processed sweetener used in sodas, snacks; contains varying ratios of glucose and fructose.
Raw Sugar / Turbinado / Demerara	Less refined versions of cane sugar; retain some molasses.
Brown Sugar	White sugar with molasses added back in.
Coconut Sugar	Made from coconut palm sap; contains trace minerals.
Date Sugar / Syrup	Made from dried dates; retains fiber and nutrients.
Artificial Sweeteners (not technically sugars)	Examples: Aspartame, Sucralose, Stevia. Often calorie-free.

Benefits of Sugar (used in moderation)

Quick Energy Boost
- Simple sugars like glucose are rapidly absorbed and provide fast energy, especially useful during intense physical activity.
Brain Function
- The brain relies on glucose as its primary fuel. A small amount of sugar can help with focus and concentration in the short term.
Improved Taste & Palatability
- Enhances the flavor of foods, making nutrient-dense items like oatmeal, smoothies, or plain yogurt more enjoyable.
Preservation
- Sugar helps preserve foods (like jams and jellies) by reducing microbial growth.
Helps Mask Bitterness
- Useful in certain medicines and healthy foods to make them more tolerable.
Essential for Fermentation
- Needed in baking and brewing processes (e.g., feeding yeast in bread-making.