Sugar is a controversial product. According to some, this is a “white death" that must be immediately abandoned, while others are firmly convinced that sugar is the only legal stimulant and without it our life will become fresh.
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It is so inherent in nature that receptors responsible for recognizing a sweet taste have particular sensitivity. That is why there are so many sweet tooths.
Sugar is one of the poorest foods. After all, sugar is a pure carbohydrate. Entering the body, sugar under the influence of digestive juices is broken down into glucose and fructose and in this form enters the blood. The pancreas produces insulin and with its help distributes the "injection" of sugar into the cells, normalizing its level in the blood. If there is too much sugar, the body does not have time to process the excess and sends it to fat for the future. But if this future never comes, then an untouchable reserve will only spoil your figure.
Do not rush to get rid of sugar. After all, pure carbohydrate is also an optimal source of energy. And the main consumer of energy is the brain. Studies conducted by the New York Institute of Neurophysiology have shown that chronic deficiency of glucose in the body can cause irreparable damage to stem cells of the spinal cord and brain. You just need to know the measure. Nutritionists calculated that an adult can eat about 60 grams of sugar per day (or 3 tbsp), the rest is superfluous. Do not forget that in addition to sugar "external" (from the sugar bowl) there is also "internal", which is contained in the products. For example, a glass of orange juice contains 20 grams of sugar. Hidden in sweet fruits, cereals and vegetables, sugar is "packed" in fiber, so in our body they are not completely delayed. But in soda, canned food, fruit yogurt contains refined sugar, which immediately enters the bloodstream.
Another legend is about sugar "living" (dark, unrefined) and "dead" (refined). Refining is the process of completely cleaning sugar from molasses, molasses (syrup with a specific smell), vitamins and other substances, resulting in a snow-white product. The types of unrefined sugar, in which all of the above remains, are quite different in taste and composition: one kind of brown sugar is more suitable for baking, the other for tea or coffee, the third for fruit salads. As for the mineral composition, the residual elements of the plant sap are present in them in small quantities, and since we do not consume sugar in glasses, they do not give a serious vitamin recharge. Unrefined sugar is absorbed into the blood longer and is one of the "hidden" ones. Therefore, the dose of glucose received with it into the body is less.
Muscovado
It turns out the so-called method of boiling natural cane juice. As a result, 10% of the remaining plant juices are retained in muscovado. The name comes from the Spanish mascabado, which means raw sugar. The crystals are dark, slightly sticky to the touch, with a pronounced caramel smell. When they are added, the baking acquires a special honey color, the aroma of molasses and does not become stale for a long time. May complement with a hint of caramel tea or coffee.
Demerara
Originally a type of cane sugar from South America, but since 1913 the definition of "demerara" is fixed to any brown sugar (except raw). It has a golden color, friable consistency, rather large granules. Coming to tea, coffee, unlike muscovado, is well caramelized.
Cane (pressed) cane sugar
It is instant (dissolution time - up to 10 minutes) and strong (more than 10 minutes). This does not characterize the quality of sugar, but rather indicates how strongly the crystals are compressed into pieces. The composition is no different from refined beetroot: residual substances in it are present in scanty amounts, only for an attractive golden color.
Golden granulated sugar
Cane sugar, which has undergone a more thorough refining than muscovado and demerara (3-4% residual substances). It has a golden hue and a light gingerbread taste. Used just like any white sugar. In recipes, it should be borne in mind that golden sugar is not as sweet as refined, and make an amendment to this.