Breaking It Down: Types of Sugar

For the chemistry buffs, here’s a quick bit of context: Sugars are also known as simple carbohydrates. They digest quickly, releasing sugars into your bloodstream.

 

Each type of sugar has its own set of problems:

  • Glucose is the most rapidly metabolized by the body and can send your blood sugar levels skyrocketing. It has a glycemic index score of 100 (the highest possible).
  • Fructose has no impact on insulin production or blood glucose levels. It also has a relatively low glycaemic index score. But it must be metabolized by the liver and is associated with elevated levels of triglycerides, metabolic syndrome, and weight gain.
  • Sucrose is crystalized white (table) sugar, from the cane sugar plant, and it consists of 50% glucose and 50% fructose.