Brown sugar is seen as the healthier counterpart to white sugar and is widely marketed as ‘healthy.’ People with diabetes, insulin resistance or in general those who are health-conscious may gravitate toward it because of the common assumption that brown sugar contains less sugar and causes fewer rapid blood sugar spikes. But is this really true? In reality, brown sugar and white sugar are not that different, and the market often extolls brown sugar as healthier, even though it’s largely just a gimmick.
French biochemist and New York Times bestselling author Jessie Inchausp addressed this doubt in an Instagram post, dated April 1, where she shared a clear distinction between white and brown sugar.
Why is brown sugar not different from white sugar?
Did you know brown sugar and white sugar are nutritionally almost identical?
Shocked? Here’s what the biochemist pointed out: there is no significant health advantage to choosing brown sugar over white sugar.
“Brown sugar is not better for you than white sugar. When you look at the glucose monitor, they create exactly the same (sugar) spike in your body. If you look at the nutrients, they are exactly the same,” she said, debunking the popular belief that brown sugar has an edge over white sugar.
Then why is brown sugar ‘brown’? Does the colour come with any special health benefits? Jesse dismissed this, explaining that it is simply a result of processing. “The only reason that brown sugar is brown is that molluscs are added to it during processing to make it look healthier.”
The whole thing is driven by marketing. In fact, she emphasised, “Do not fall for this. Brown sugar and white sugar are the same.”
You can choose either based on your preference, because health-wise, it makes no difference. Choosing brown over white sugar won’t make you healthier; the real impact comes from how and when you eat, not just its colour. The biochemist reminded that sugar choice is not ‘where the health happens.’
What actually to do to manage blood sugar
The primary objective of choosing a ‘healthy sugar’ is to reduce incidences of rapid blood sugar spikes. Although sugar choice is negligible, since brown sugar is the same as white, instead she urged to follow ‘glucose hacks.’ Focusing on simple habits is more effective. Some of these include eating fibre or having vinegar before consuming sugar or going for a walk after eating sugary foods.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
