6 Types of Natural Sugar – Who doesn’t like the sweet taste of sugar? From your favorite cookie to your favorite beverage, almost all of them contain sugar.
In our day-to-day life, sugar consumption is almost an integral part of our diets.
Sugar is present in a variety of forms and can be found in almost every food and drink we consume, either directly or indirectly.
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Sugar not only gives us a sweet taste that we like, but is also often used as a preservative and flavor enhancer in many products
There are different types of natural sugar that are used in the food and beverage industry, and each has different characteristics and applications.
Here is the explanation that we’ve prepared just for you!
Table of Contents
Types of Natural Sugar
Natural sugar, also known as a calorie sweetener, provides energy in the form of carbohydrates and is found directly in a variety of foods.
Another term is nutritional sugar, because foods that contain natural sugars, such as fruits and vegetables, are also rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
It makes natural sugar healthier than added sugar or artificial sugar, which is often found in processed products and provides calories without added nutritional value.
However, it is important to keep consuming natural sugar wisely, as excessive consumption can still contribute to health problems.
1. Glucose
The first one is glucose. Glucose is the primary source of energy for the body and the only type of sugar that is directly used by the brain cells.
Glukose is immediately absorbed and used as fuel to give our body energy, while other sugars have to be converted to glucose first.
Glucose is also found in sucrose and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). One teaspoon of glucose contains about 16 calories and affects blood sugar levels.
Although consumption of glucose is important, It is also worth noting to consume glucose wisely to maintain blood sugar level and overall health.
2. Fructose
This sweetener is known to be usually found in the fruits that gives the fruit its sweet taste. Besides, this sweetener also is found in honey in quite high amounts.
This kind of natural sugar is good for diabetics because it does not cause a rise in blood sugar. However, consumption of high amounts of fructose can cause increased fat storage in the body.
Fructose will be metabolized by the liver to be further converted into glucose which can be a source of energy for our bodies.
3. Galactose
Galactose, also known as brain sugar, is a naturally occurring monosaccharide sugar that’s about as sweet as glucose and 65% as sweet as sucrose.
Galactose is a type of sugar commonly found in milk and various other dairy products, such as yogurt, cheese, and ice cream.
As a major component of lactose, galactose plays an important role in adding sweetness to milk products and supporting various body functions, including energy and overall body metabolism.
Although galactose has a sweet taste, its sugar content is lower than that of glucose. This means that in order to have the same level of sweetness in a recipe or dish, you need to add more galactose.
4. Lactose
Lactose is a natural type of sugar found in milk and dairy products. Chemically, lactose consists of two molecules of sugar that are bound together, which are glucose and galactose.
In our body, lactose is digested by an enzyme called lactase, which breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose.
Both of these sugars are then absorbed into the bloodstream and used by our body for energy.
However, some people have difficulties digesting lactose due to lack of the lactase enzyme, a condition known as lactose intolerance.
In general, lactose is an important component in dairy-based foods and plays a role in providing energy as well as supporting the growth of good bacteria in the intestines.
Also Read: “10 Types of Salt“
5. Maltose
The next on our list of types of natural sugar is maltose. Maltose is a type of sugar that consists of two glucose molecules.
These molecules need to be broken down into glucose by the maltase enzyme inside our body, to be then absorbed as an energy source for our body.
Maltose is also often referred to as malt sugar and can be found in a variety of foods. For example, in breakfast cereals, especially processed or flavored, maltose appears as a result of the breakdown of starch in the seeds.
Moreover, maltosa is also present in pasta and potatoes, where starch is converted into maltose during digestion before further being broken down into glucose.
Other than that, maltose is also used in the alcoholic beverage industry, especially in the beer brewery industry.
Maltose is formed during the brewing process from the grains such as barley. During the fermentation, maltose is converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide by yeast.
6. Sucrose
Sucrose consists of one glucose molecule and one fructose, and is one of the most famous types of sugar that is often known as table sugar.
This sugar is naturally found in beets, sugar beans, as well as some fruits and vegetables. Sucrose gives a consistent sweet taste and is used in a variety of food and beverage products.
In our body, sucrose is broken down into glucose and fructose, which are then absorbed and used as energy.
Although it is beneficial, excessive consumption of sucrose can lead to health problems such as obesity and diabetes, so it is important to consume it wisely.
So there you have it! The 6 types of natural sugar to get a better understanding of your favorite sweet thing!
But do you know that sugar is one of the things that is mandatory to be certified before being sold and distributed in Indonesia?
The certification sugar is clearly stated in SNI 01-3140.1-2001 about raw crystal sugar, SNI 3140.3:2010 Amd/1:2011 about white crystal sugar and SNI 01-3140.2-2006 about refined crystal sugar.
