Is Coconut Sugar Better Than Regular Sugar? The Expert Answers

Dr. Maya Rozman busted a myth on her radio show this week, when she said that both brown sugar and coconut sugar, which are supposedly healthier, are unnecessary for us in the same way.

"White sugar is made from sugarcane or sugar beets, undergoing many refining processes until nothing is left except sweetness," explains Dr. Rozman. "White sugar contains no vitamins or minerals whatsoever, it contributes nothing to health, just energy - meaning calories, and that's why it's called empty energy".

"Brown sugar undergoes a little fewer refining processes, contains very few vitamins and minerals, it's a bit more natural because it goes through slightly less refining and separation from the plant, it contains a negligible and insignificant amount of vitamins, and causes weight gain and is harmful to health just like white sugar". That is, not every food or drink with brown sugar is automatically considered healthier.

On the other hand, coconut sugar is made from the flowers of the coconut tree: the juice of the coconut tree flowers is drained, filtered, and heated until the liquids evaporate. The thick syrup is dried and crumbled, and in addition, the industry today uses other, faster methods.

Dr. Rozman says that the advantage of coconut sugar is that it doesn’t go through bleaching like white sugar and isn’t washed with chemicals. However, Rozman emphasizes that coconut sugar, even if it's organic, still contains a large amount of simple, unnecessary sugar with no nutritional value. "It has a negligible amount of minerals like potassium and magnesium, and also a lower glycemic index than white sugar, but still, it's not advisable to consume much if there is a tendency to diabetes. The only reason to use it is its special taste," she explained.

It should be added that in terms of caloric value, there is almost no difference between coconut sugar and white sugar. Both contain about 4 calories per gram. Therefore, those trying to reduce calories in their diet will not find a solution in coconut sugar.

Coconut sugar can be an interesting alternative for those seeking a less processed sweetener, but it shouldn't be seen as a magic solution. A balanced and varied diet is the key to health, and it’s worth considering reducing sugar of all types in the daily menu.