It is not even a question anymore if sugar is bad for your health. The more is getting more conscious about the fact, food experts are coming up with healthier alternatives to white sugar. It is the need of the hour as nobody wants to live in a world that has no dessert in it, right?
An alternative is demerara sugar that is gradually becoming a favourite sugar alternative among the diet and fitness enthusiasts around the world. Let’s know about it more and maybe this would be your next add-on in your dessert.
What Actually Is Demerara Sugar And Where It Comes From?
This is not a man-made alternative instead it comes from sugarcane. Yes, it’s true! It originates from a country called Guyana on the northern mainland of South America formerly known as Demerara hence the name. Most of the demerara sugar today comes from Africa.
It has a very aesthetically pleasing light brown colour which is due to the molasses that occurs in it.
Due to its scrumptious caramel flavour and large grains, it is being sprinkled over cakes and muffins all over the world and also added to teas and coffees.
Demerara sugar also falls in the category of processed sugar although it is minimally processed. To extract it, first the sugarcane undergoes pressing and the juice is extracted. The juice is then boiled until it thickens into a syrup. After evaporation of water, it cools down and hardens. Albeit being minimally processed, it is still categorized as an “added sugar”.
Nutritional Profile of Demerara Sugar
Both white sugar and demerara sugar contain the same amount of calories i.e. 15 calories per teaspoon. If we say demerara sugar is made of sucrose it won’t be wrong. As the molasses in the demerara sugar contains is mostly made of sucrose, it is not for frequent use.
Along with sucrose, it also contains molecules of fructose and glucose, vitamins and minerals in trace amounts, plant compounds as well as water. But as compared to white sugar, demerara has more molasses and less sucrose which adds to the brownie points.
Benefits of Demerara Sugar
Now, that we have introduced quite well to this amazing sugar, let’s get to know the potential benefits that it imparts on our health.
1. Immense Skin Benefits
Demerara sugar’s benefits to the skin are mind blowing. Once you get to know them, you won’t be able to live without it. Exfoliate your skin with it and you will get a glow that you would have never seen before. Moreover, it moisturizes your skin as well as nourishes it slows down the ageing process. Applied direct to skin for exfoliating, it removes the dead skin and replenishes it. Would you mind an edible that also acts as a scrub, exfoliator and moisturizer? At least, we will not miss the opportunity ever.
2. Full of Vitamins and Minerals
Demerara sugar is naturally packed with lots of vitamins and minerals. The molasses present in demerara sugar contains iron, calcium, vitamin B5, B3 along with many others. The vitamins and minerals in diet are never a bad idea for your body. Moreover, demerara sugar helps you to retain the mineral and vitamins that you ingest. This helps in prevention from diseases and skin disorders. So, do not wait up any further and start using it today!
3. A Punch of Energy
Demerara contains carbohydrates like white sugar. No matter how dangerous the processed sugars are for us we can always reduce the use rather than diminishing completely. So, when you need a punch of energy, choose the healthy sugar options and this one is that for sure.
4. Boosting your Metabolism
Like white sugar affects the metabolism of calcium, demerara sugar does nothing of that sort. Furthermore, this golden brown table sugar alternative boosts your metabolism to a great extent which every fitness enthusiast would love to have.
5. Rich Taste and Flavour
Demerara is a popular choice among chefs and connoisseurs because of its large grainy texture and a rich flavour that resembles somewhat like toffee or caramel. Not only in British counties, it is a popular worldwide sugar alternative because of these characteristics.
6. Boosting Immunity System
You will be surprised to know this but this is true. Demerara sugar boosts your immunity within a few weeks of its incorporation into the diet. Your immune system will improve and you will not fall prey to seasonal flu. You will experience a change in your energy levels especially when you wake up in the morning. Also, using this miraculous sugar will keep depression and anxiety at bay. Your acne will clear up and you will feel a positive change in your body.
7. Reducing Inflammation
If you happen to have inflammation in your body, you will notice a reduction in it when you start using this sugar. It is a good alternative to medicine when it comes to inflammation which is a very lesser known fact.
Side Effects of Demerara Sugar
Pronouncing it a healthier alternative doesn’t mean that you can use it as much as you can. At the end of the day, it is still a sugar and contains carbohydrates entirely. So, you need to be moderate when you are using it. Use only when you need it as an alternative of white sugar in order to prevent weight gain. Likewise, diabetics should also keep an eye on the use. If you are looking for weight loss, this is not the food for you.
Final Verdict
We are lucky, we have so many food options around us. There is literally something for everyone when it comes to food choices. Mother Nature has blessed us that way. Demerara is a processed sugar but it comes from sugarcane and undergoes only a cycle of processing which makes it a healthier alternative. Keeping in view the benefits, you must consider it to add to your diet but do not forget that moderation is the key!
