Red sugar and brown sugar are two common sugars in our daily life. They are all brownish-red or yellow-brown in color and look similar, but in fact their manufacturing process, nutritional content, and eating effect are very different. So, what is the difference between red sugar and brown sugar?This article will reveal the answer for you from the following aspects.
The production process of red sugar and brown sugar is the most important factor that determines their difference. Red granulated sugar is a by-product of white granulated sugar, which is processed from the remaining sugar residue that has not been decolorized after being extracted from sugarcane or sugar beet juice, after chemical treatment and multiple purifications, and the white granulated sugar is separated. The main ingredient of red sugar is sucrose, and it also contains a certain amount of molasses, trace elements, vitamins and other nutrients, but the proportion is low. The production process of red sugar is relatively complex, easy to produce on a large scale, and the cost is low, so most of the so-called "brown sugar" on the market is actually red sugar.
Brown sugar is made by squeezing the juice from sugarcane, after precipitation and clarification, using the traditional "chain pot" sugar making process, directly boiling in an open flame cauldron. Brown sugar is not honey-splitting, so it retains the natural nutrients of sugar cane, including proteins, minerals, vitamins and phenols. Brown sugar contains about 95% sucrose, which is easy to be digested and absorbed by the human body, and can quickly replenish physical strength and increase vitality. The production process of brown sugar is relatively simple, but the efficiency is low, the environment is relatively simple, and it is easy to be polluted, so there are not many purer brown sugar on the market.
Due to the different production processes, the nutritional content of red sugar and brown sugar is also different. The nutritional value of red sugar is relatively low, mainly to provide calories, while brown sugar is relatively high, in addition to providing calories, there are some ingredients that are beneficial to the human body. Let's take a look at the nutritional facts of red sugar and brown sugar:
As can be seen from the table, the content of protein, minerals, vitamins and other contents of brown sugar is higher than that of red sugar, especially iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and other elements that play an important role in the human body, and the content of brown sugar is several times or even dozens of times that of red sugar. These ingredients can help the body regulate acid-base balance, promote blood circulation, enhance immunity, prevent anemia, etc. Therefore, from a nutritional point of view, brown sugar has more advantages than red sugar.
The eating effect of red sugar and brown sugar is also different. Red sugar is mainly used to replace white sugar to increase the sweetness of food, and it does not have much effect. Brown sugar, on the other hand, has some special edible effects, especially for women. Let's take a look at some of the edible effects of brown sugar::
Brown sugar can relieve menstrual discomfort. Minerals such as iron, magnesium, and calcium in brown sugar can supplement nutrient deficiencies caused by blood loss during menstruation, phenols in brown sugar can inhibit pain caused by contractions, and sugars in brown sugar can provide energy and relieve fatigue and depression. Therefore, drinking brown sugar water during menstruation can improve complexion, relieve menstrual cramps, stabilize mood, etc.
Brown sugar can promote postpartum recovery. Minerals such as iron, magnesium, and calcium in brown sugar can help mothers replenish blood loss during childbirth, and phenols in brown sugar can promote uterine contractions and prevent bleeding.
The sugars in brown sugar can improve the quality and quantity of milk and benefit breastfeeding. Therefore, drinking brown sugar water after childbirth can promote wound healing, restore physical strength, increase milk, etc.
Brown sugar can improve gastrointestinal function. The phenols in brown sugar can inhibit the harmful bacteria in the intestines and increase the beneficial bacteria in the intestines, the sugars in brown sugar can increase the osmotic pressure of the intestines and promote the peristalsis of the intestines, and the minerals in the brown sugar can regulate the acid-base balance of the intestines and maintain the health of the intestines. Therefore, drinking brown sugar water can relieve digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea, and stomach pain.
Brown sugar can beautify and nourish the skin. Minerals such as iron, zinc, and copper in brown sugar can promote blood generation and circulation, improve nutrition and oxygen, vitamins and phenols in brown sugar can resist oxidation, prevent aging and pigmentation, and sugars in brown sugar can maintain moisture and elasticity. Therefore, drinking brown sugar water can make ** smooth, delicate, and shiny.
There are also some differences in how red sugar and brown sugar are consumed. Red sugar can be used directly to replace white sugar, used in cooking, baking, beverages, etc., without too much attention. Brown sugar, on the other hand, requires some attention to the way to eat it in order to bring out its best effect. Let's take a look at some ways to eat brown sugar:
Brown sugar is best brewed with warm water, not boiling water, because boiling water will destroy some of the nutrients in brown sugar and reduce its efficacy. Brown sugar water brewed with warm water has a sweeter taste and is easier to be absorbed by the body.
Brown sugar can be paired with a number of other ingredients to increase its flavor and efficacy. For example, brown sugar can be paired with ginger, wolfberry, longan, red dates, etc., which can drive away cold and warm the stomach, invigorate blood and eliminate blood stasis, nourish blood and nourish qi, etcBrown sugar is paired with lemon, honey, roses, etc., which can clear away heat and detoxify, beautify and nourish the skin, moisten the throat and relieve cough.
Brown sugar should not be eaten with some cold foods, otherwise it will affect its warming and tonic effect, and even cause adverse reactions such as diarrhea. For example, brown sugar should not be eaten with watermelon, ice cream, iced drinks, etc.
Brown sugar should not be consumed in excess, otherwise it will increase calorie intake, leading to obesity, high blood sugar and other problems. In general, the amount of brown sugar consumed should not exceed 30 grams, which is about two tablespoons, per day.
Through the above introduction, we can see that the difference between red sugar and brown sugar is mainly reflected in the production process, nutritional composition and edible effect. Red sugar is a by-product of white sugar, which has a low nutritional value and is mainly used to increase sweetnessBrown sugar is made directly from sugarcane, which has high nutritional value, and has some functions such as warming and supplementing, relieving menstrual discomfort, promoting postpartum recovery, improving gastrointestinal function, and beautifying the skin.
Therefore, if you want to enjoy the benefits of brown sugar, you should pay attention to choosing real brown sugar, not red sugar, and pay attention to some ways to eat it, so as to bring out the best effect of brown sugar.
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