From a nutritional perspective, there is very little difference between the sugar produced from sugar cane or sugar beet, including between white and brown sugars, and crystallised and liquid sugars. Sugar produced from sugar cane or sugar beet provide 4 kcal per gram (1) and both are digested in the body in the same way (2).
The amounts of micronutrients (vitamin and mineral content) contributed to the diet from sugars such as coconut sugar is considered to be insignificant (3).
Similarly for brown sugars from sugar cane and sugar beet, the micronutrients (vitamin and mineral content) can vary slightly. This is due to very small amounts of naturally occurring minerals in molasses, which gives brown sugars their distinctive tastes, however these minerals are not in amounts that are significant to health (4).
Evidence-based, scientific information on sugars' role in health and nutrition.
WSRO's series of infographics on dietary sugars and health.
The role sugars play in foods, dietary intakes and sources.
