In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleTypes of HoneyTypes of SugarPricingProductionCaloric ContentGlycemic IndexHealth Benefits of HoneyHealth Benefits of SugarHealth Concerns of HoneyHealth Concerns of Sugar
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
Types of Honey
Types of Sugar
Pricing
Production
Caloric Content
Glycemic Index
Health Benefits of Honey
Health Benefits of Sugar
Health Concerns of Honey
Health Concerns of Sugar
Honey and sugar both provide sweetness, whether for cookies or cakes or a simple cup of tea. But honey is often regarded as being a healthier option. So, why is that? We spoke with a California-based beekeeper to get the scoop on everything there is to know about honey’s health benefits and more. Read on to find out if your sweetener of choice actually makes a difference or not.
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There areover 300 varieties of honeyavailable in the United States, with each originating from a different floral source or combination of several. Each type is typically named after the nectar source, which influences the flavor and color. Here are five of the most popular varieties of honey on the market:
You know about standard granulated white sugar, but do you know about all of thedifferent types of sugaravailable? Here are five of the most common types of sugar on the market:
As with most food products, the price of honey and sugar can vary based on quality and available quantity. Your average white sugar will not cost as much as an organic sugar, or some varieties of sugar, including coconut sugar or brown sugar. Similarly, locally made, small-batch honey from organic farmers will inevitably cost more than your run-of-the-mill supermarket honey.
For sugar, sugar cane stalks are washed, cut and pressed to separate the juice from the plant material. Similarly, juice can be extracted from sugar beets as well. The juice is boiled until it crystallizes, at which point the crystals are separated from the liquid using a centrifuge, resulting in raw sugar. What type of sugar it will become (granulated, powdered, light brown, etc.) will determine what type ofprocessing treatments it undergoes at a refinery.
In 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar, there areapproximately 15 calories. In comparison, there areabout 20 caloriesin 1 teaspoon of honey. Like granulated and other types of sugar, honey is considered anadded sugar, but honey contains small amounts of some vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron and potassium, unlike most other sweeteners.
The glycemic index (GI) is a system of categorizing foods that contain carbohydrates, based on the amount that those carbohydrates will increase the blood sugar for the average person. It is particularly helpful for those who are monitoring their blood sugar levels and focused on keeping those levels consistent, like people with prediabetes or diabetes. GI values are generally split into three categories:
Sugar ranks slightly higher on the index at 63 due to its higher concentration of fructose, and manuka honey ranks on average at 57. The GI of honey is slightly lower, but both sugar and honey have similar effects on blood glucose levels.
Here are a few of the most notablehealth benefits of honey:
Raw honey is generally safe to consume, with two notable exceptions:
“Many people believe that eating local honey can help those with allergies such as hay fever. When bees visit a flower, they gather nectar and pollen. Although the pollen is stored separately in the hive from the honey, small amounts make their way into the honey, so when you eat honey you are also eating a small amount of pollen,” says Lampcov.However, scientists have yet to prove that eating honey can prevent allergies. There is no clinical evidence that the small amount of pollen that may be present in honey is enough to stimulate your immune system and reduce your allergy symptoms. So, keep eating honey if you enjoy it, but don’t expect it to cure your seasonal allergies.
TheDietary Guidelines for Americansrecommendslimiting the consumption of added sugarsto less than 10% of the calories we eat each day, which equates to about 12 teaspoons (48 grams) for a 2,000-calorie diet. However, many experts saythis number should be even lowerto reduce the risk for health conditions and concerns, which may include:
The Bottom Line
So, is honey healthier than sugar? Both provide sweetness and have their place in your kitchen. However, research suggests that honey may have more health benefits than other forms of regular sugar, like granulated and cane. Now that you know all about the differences between honey and sugar put them to work in healthy dinner recipes likeHoney-Garlic Salmon.
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