Refined dietary sugars lack minerals and vitamins and are often called empty calories. They draw upon the body’s nutrients to be metabolized into the system, and when these nutrients are depleted, metabolizing of cholesterol and fatty acid is impeded, contributing to higher cholesterol and promoting obesity due to higher fatty acid on the organs and tissues. On the other hand, honey, a natural sweetener, contains 22 amino acids and a variety of minerals essential for its metabolism and hence is helpful in preventing obesity. Honey is regarded as a natural product while sugar is a man-made, highly processed product. Both of these sweeteners have glucose and fructose in them. In granulated sugar, the glucose and fructose are bonded together, these components in honey are separate. According to nutrition data, a typical batch of honey supplies:-
- 82% sugar, by weight.
- Half of that sugar (40% of total weight) is fructose.
- Contains only trace amounts of vitamins and minerals.
- Honey contains various antioxidants
- Its relative glucose and fructose content can vary greatly and its Glycemic Index ranges from low to high
Comparison of Honey and Sugar
Comparison of honey and sugar is as follows:-
- The manufacturing process for sugar often eliminates many healthy components, such as protein, vitamins, minerals, organic acids, and nitrogen elements.
- Honey, doesn’t go through this type of process and is usually only subjected to minimal heating.
- One teaspoon of sugar has about 16 calories, and one teaspoon of honey has about 22 calories.
- Honey contains other beneficial ingredients that have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that aren’t contained in sugar.
- Honey has a glycemic index that is lower than sugar and this means it’s absorbed at a slower rate compared to sugar. Since sugar has a higher glycemic index it can increase your blood-glucose levels which could cause you to overeat
people who are overweight, diabetic and struggle with their dietary load of fructose and carbs, should probably avoid honey as much as possible. When it comes to baking some occasional, healthy treats, honey seems like an excellent alternative to replace sugar in recipes.
