Sugar OR Jaggery OR Honey?

A closer look at the three sweet devils!

Foodism examines the current fad of replacing table sugar with oodles of honey and loads of jaggery by weighing the pros and cons of all three –

Table Sugar

Sugar comprises of sucrose which is a combination of glucose and fructose. The sugar manufacturing process involves multiple chemical treatments such as – milk-of-lime treatment; sulphur-dioxide bleaching; and the crystallization process. Basis the level of refinement the output could be white sugar or brown sugar.

Sugar is notorious for its ‘empty calories’ as one teaspoon of table sugar has nearly 16 calories (simple carbs) and no other micro nutrient (minerals or vitamins). Hence upon consumption it immediately gets released into the blood stream as glucose, thereby elevating the blood sugar levels. 

Sugar is addictive and excessive consumption is known to create manifold health related issues.

Jaggery

This is devoid of the excessive chemical treatments that sugar undergoes and is basically a combination of sugar with molasses and other minerals. 

One teaspoon of jaggery has nearly 16 calories (simple carbs). But since no chemicals are used in the preparation of jaggery, it manages to retain some minerals and vitamins vis-à-vis refined sugar.  Hence jaggery offers – iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, selenium, manganese and zinc. Perhaps that’s why it also doubles up as an integral ingredient of Ayurvedic medicines.

Jaggery is thus slightly better than table sugar (as it has micro-nutrients) but is still potent and lethal for diabetes and other lifestyle-disorders.

Honey

This sweet, viscous liquid produced by honey bees contains antioxidants and small amounts of vitamins and minerals. It may offer some health benefits, but at the end of the day, it’s still sugar and should not be consumed excessively.

Hold your breath - 1 teaspoon of honey comprises of nearly 26 calories (higher than that of sugar)! But on the reverse side honey being sweeter compared to sugar the quantity required is lesser. Honey too is often used in Ayurvedic medicines owing to - its anti-bacterial properties; it being rich in B Vitamins; and as it has a relieving effect on sore throats and other respiratory issues.

As it is sweet and addictive leading to a spike in blood sugar levels, honey cannot be a healthy substitute to sugar or jaggery

Conclusively neither of the three is ‘healthy’ per se and everything in excess is harmful. The best option would be to reduce their intake and opt for an active lifestyle that helps burn those extra calories