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Learn About Sugar, a Versatile Ingredient

What is Sugar?

Sugar is a natural carbohydrate that comes from plants. It is a sweet, crystalline substance that dissolves easily in water. Sugar is used as a food additive to provide sweetness and flavor to food and drinks.

Types of Sugar

There are many different types of sugar, but the most common type is sucrose. Sucrose is found in table sugar, cane sugar, and beet sugar. Other types of sugar include fructose, glucose, and lactose.

How is Sugar Made?

Sugar is made from sugarcane or sugar beets. Sugarcane is a tall, grass-like plant that is grown in tropical and subtropical climates. Sugar beets are a root vegetable that is grown in temperate climates.

To make sugar, the sugarcane or sugar beets are harvested and crushed to extract the juice. The juice is then boiled and evaporated to remove the water. The resulting syrup is then crystallized to form sugar crystals.

Uses of Sugar

Sugar is used in a wide variety of foods and drinks, including:

• Baked goods
• Candy
• Cereal
• Fruit juices
• Soft drinks

Sugar is also used as a preservative in some foods.

Health Effects of Sugar

Eating too much sugar can lead to a number of health problems, including:

• Weight gain
• Tooth decay
• Diabetes
• Heart disease

It is important to limit your intake of sugar to avoid these health problems.

Conclusion

Sugar is a versatile ingredient that is used in a wide variety of foods and drinks. However, it is important to limit your intake of sugar to avoid health problems.