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Sugar is a sweetening agent commonly used in making various foods and beverages. There are various types of sugar used as sweeteners and one of them is refined sugar.
In this article, we will discuss what refined sugar is, its differences from other types of sugar, the dangers of consuming refined sugar excessively, and tips for consuming refined sugar.
What is Refined Sugar?
Refined sugar is sugar made from sugarcane juice through a lengthy processing process. The manufacturing process involves purification and filtration to produce white sugar crystals.
The purpose of this process is to remove impurities, color, and unwanted flavors, resulting in pure sugar with a whiter color and smoother texture.
Refined sugar only contains pure sugar and does not contain other nutrients such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Refined sugar is usually contained in various packaged foods and beverages, such as ice cream, biscuits, jams, and packaged drinks.
In addition to being a sweetener, refined sugar is also used as a preservative in jams and jellies.
In Indonesia, refined sugar cannot be sold freely and can only be used for the food and beverage industry. This is stated in Minister of Trade Regulation No. 527/MPT/KET/9/2004.
Differences between Refined Sugar and Other Sugars
Compared to other types of sugar, such as brown sugar or granulated sugar, refined sugar has several differences, namely:
1. Color and Texture
Refined sugar has a whiter color compared to brown sugar or granulated sugar available on the market, which tends to be more brown. Additionally, the crystal grains of refined sugar are finer than those of granulated sugar.
2. Production Process
Refined sugar undergoes a longer production process compared to other sugars. The refining process of refined sugar goes through various stages, namely refining, filtration, and stricter cleaning than other types of sugar.
3. Nutrient Content
The nutrient content of refined sugar is sucrose. Meanwhile, natural sugars derived from fruits, honey, or milk have different nutrient contents. The intensive processing causes the loss of most of its nutritional components.
Dangers of Consuming Excessive Refined Sugar
Like other sugars, consuming foods and beverages containing refined sugar excessively can lead to various health problems, such as:
1. Obesity
Excessive consumption of refined sugar can lead to calorie accumulation. If the consumed calories exceed the body’s needs, it can lead to weight gain and increase the risk of obesity.
2. Diabetes
Refined sugar can cause insulin resistance and increase the risk of type 2 diabetes if consumed excessively over a long period of time.
3. Heart Disease
A study has shown a relationship between excessive consumption of refined sugar and heart disease.
Excessive sugar consumption can increase the risk of high blood pressure and inflammation in the body. High blood pressure and obesity are risk factors for heart disease.
Tips for Consuming Foods and Beverages Containing Refined Sugar
To avoid the various negative impacts of sugar, you should be cautious when consuming sweet foods and beverages.
According to the Ministry of Health (Indonesia), the maximum daily sugar consumption limit is 10 percent of the total required calories, which is 50 grams of sugar or equivalent to 5 tablespoons.
Here are some tips for consuming foods and beverages containing refined sugar:
1. Limit Consumption of Packaged Foods and Beverages
Avoid excessive consumption of packaged foods and beverages, as they usually contain refined sugar. It’s better to choose foods from natural sources. Instead of drinking packaged drinks, it’s better to drink water or fresh fruit juice.
2. Pay Attention to Packaging Labels
When buying packaged foods and beverages, pay attention to the labels on the packaging. Pay attention to their sugar content, and if it’s too high, it is best to avoid it.
Arummi’s Recommendation: Arummi Low-Sugar Cashew Milk
If you’re looking for a delicious low-sugar milk, then Arummi cashew milk is the best choice. In 170 ml of Arummi cashew milk classic, there’s only 9 grams of sugar.
Despite being low in sugar, Arummi cashew milk is still delicious to enjoy. You can enjoy the sweet and savory combination of cashew nuts in a cup of milk.
Get Arummi cashew milk at your nearest supermarket!
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