UNCOVERING THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF SUGAR BEETS AND SUGAR CANE: A NUTRITION PROFESSIONAL'S GUIDE
Expert opinion from Michael Colangelo
Master of Science (M.S.) in Nutrition · 15 years of experience · USA
The majority of white table sugar or pure sucrose in the US and other temperate climate regions comes from sugar beets, while tropical regions primarily grow and utilize sugar cane. The highly processed sugar products that come from either sugar cane or sugar beets does not differ nutritionally. Most sugar beets in the US are genetically modified. Individuals worried about consuming genetically modified(GMO) crops should select either cane sugar or non-GMO beet sugar to help minimize GMO exposure. Regardless of its source, white table sugar is a concentrated source of calories and doesn’t contain any fiber, vitamins, or minerals, and should be consumed in moderation. The American Heart Association recommends men should consume no more than 9 teaspoons(36 grams) of added sugar per day. For women, the recommendation is no more than 6 teaspoons(25 grams) per day.
→ See more questions and expert answers related to Sugar.
Expert opinion from Carl Bender
Master of Science: Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition · 6 years of experience · USA
Sugar is sugar, both the sugar from sugar beets and sugar cane is sucrose, which is made of up glucose and fructose. This means that sugar cane and sugar beets are virtually identical and will have the same number of calories per gram. If you want to avoid (genetically modified organisms) GMOs then you should avoid sugar beets, because many of the sugar beets farmed in America are GMOs.
Expert opinion from Faith Seke
PhD, Agronomy and Crop Science (ongoing), Master's degree, Food Science and Technology · 1 years of experience · South Africa
Beet sugar, unlike cane sugar, is manufactured without the use of bone char, which may be beneficial for vegans or vegetarians. Cane sugar, on the other hand, may be preferred by some since it is less likely to be genetically engineered. However, both beet sugar and cane sugar contain sucrose, which can be harmful to your health if ingested in excess.
→ See more questions and expert answers related to Sugar.
| What are people curious about? | |
|---|---|
| Mediterranean diet | Keto diet |
| Diabetic diet | Weight loss |
Disclaimer: This is for information purpose only, and should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. These are opinions from an external panel of individual doctors or nutritionists and not to be considered as opinion of Microsoft. Please seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Medical advice varies across region. Advice from professionals outside your region should be used at your own discretion. Or you should contact a local health professional.
2024-04-16T13:44:34Z dg43tfdfdgfd