It is also found in beer and produced when glucose is caramelised. The addition of another glucose unit yields maltoriose; further additions produce maltodextrin and eventually starch.
Sucrose (glucose and fructose covalently linked) - is a disaccharide found in stems of sugar cane and roots of sugar beets. It occurs naturally alongside fructose and glucose in other plants, carrots, and fruits. Commercially, it is highly refined with sulphuric acid into white granulated sugar.
Caster sugar is even more highly refined into a powder.
Brown sugar is white sugar with added molasses.
Raw sugar is a minimally processed form of cane sugar.
Demerara sugar is a light brown cane sugar originally from Guyana.
Turbinado sugar is a type of raw sugar that is less processed.
Sucanat is a trademark name for minimally processed dried sugar cane juice that contains the molasses. It is similar to Panela from Latin America, Rapadura from Brazil, Muscavado from the Philippines, Jagger from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Maple syrup is 90% glucose and 10% sucrose and fructose.
According to Dr. Robert Lustig, professor of paediatrics in the division of endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco, it was the McGovern Commission on Dietary Guidelines for Americans Directive, in the 1970s that started the obesity epidemic when it replaced fat with sugar. Low fat means high in sugar.
Sugar is not good for us in any way, shape or form. Whereas fats are needed for brain growth and function. The body must have its supply of essential fatty acids (EFAs) for hormone production and many other functions. Dr. Lustig’s research shows that sugar is a far bigger problem than fat ever was. It is the new dietary evil.
Unfortunately, the AHA, AMA, ADA, UDSA, and food industry all collaborated with this change to secure their control of the information, education, health, and food industries. However, current data now shows that these so called “experts” got it wrong. Perhaps, deliberately! In any case, their LDL research was flawed and based on incomplete and erroneous information. For decades, ill health caused from the consumption of refined sugars (and damaged fats) was covered up.
They even launched an aggressive campaign to silence and destroy nutritionists, naturopaths, and anyone else who tried to teach the truth about the benefits of real food and good nutrition. Presently, in the U.S, only dieticians, controlled by the food giants and big pharma, are allowed to practice in schools, hospitals, etc. and be reimbursed by medicare. In addition, they mounted a massive decade long campaign, through state regulatory agencies, to ensure that naturopaths and independent nutrition consultants are no longer being licensed or allowed to practice.
Dr. Lustig’s data clearly shows that obesity has increased in 30 years from 10% to 40% because of these changes. There is even an epidemic of obesity in 6 month olds. Medical costs from metabolic diseases are now 75% of global health care expenses.
Fatty Liver disease affects 1/3 (33%) of all Americans and others consuming the American junk food diet. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome affects 10%. And, that is not all.
Obesity is responsible for $274 million extra in jet fuel; sinking of boats due to weight; $65 billion loss in productivity; and 50% increase in absenteeism. In the United States alone, $147 billion are spent in health care costs, do to Metabolic Syndrome diseases.