I just received an email from my friend Helene:
"I recently read that 'Rapadura is just Sucanat made by another company. Then there is Florida Crystals. All three the same thing, they are all processed sugars. The difference between them and regular super-market sugar is that they have not been bleached. All four are identical nutritionally.' What are your thoughts?"
So here goes:
Nutritional Analysis of Sucanat
My research shows that Sucanat is far less processed than regular white sugar. White sugar goes through so many filterings and then a bleaching process, resulting in no mineral content left—it is pure disaccharide (a form of sucrose made up of fructose and glucose). Sucanat retains more nutrients, as shown below:
- Water: 2.7g
- Calories: 570g
- Carbohydrate: 135g
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 0.5mg
- Potassium: 1,125mg
- Vitamin A: 1600IU
- Thiamin (B1): 0.21mg
- Riboflavin (B2): 0.21mg
- Niacin: 0.20mg
- Calcium: 165mg
- Iron: 6.5mg
- Vitamin B6: 0.60mg
- Magnesium: 127mg
- Zinc: 2.3mg
- Copper: 0.3mg
- Pantothenic Acid: 1.8mg
- Chromium: 40mcg
- Phosphorus: 48mg
Source: USDA Handbook of Nutrient Content of Foods
The Benefits of Less Processed Sugars
Any form of sugar provides calories that are easily absorbed by the body. Many people look for the "perfect" sweetener that is sweet but has no impact on the body—this is not possible. White sugar is most easily absorbed by the body and spikes insulin because it is broken down into its simplest form. However, less processed forms like Sucanat retain some mineral content, which slows down the body's response.
My Personal Preference
I personally use Sucanat and find it to be a good sweetener. I have not used white or brown sugar (which is just white sugar with a little molasses added) for years. I also use evaporated cane juice crystals, also known as raw sugar, when the rich flavor of Sucanat would be too overwhelming. I've heard that turbinado sugar is a good substitute for brown sugar because it retains some moisture, unlike demerara or Sucanat. Turbinado is also lower in calories with 11 calories per teaspoon versus 16 calories for white sugar. I also use honey, maple syrup, molasses, and stevia as alternatives.
In conclusion, I have heard that Rapadura and Sucanat are the same thing, but even if they are, they are not the same as white table sugar. Because they are less processed, I believe they are a better choice.
Update
Helene says she's happy to hear this. She uses Sucanat and honey, plus occasionally a splash of stevia in her coffee.
