Simply put, Sugars are a type of carbohydrate that the body uses for energy. There are two main types of sugar: simple sugars and complex sugars.
Simple sugars, also called monosaccharides, including glucose, fructose, and galactose. Complex sugars, also called polysaccharides, including starches and fibres.
Most foods that contain sugar also contain other nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fibre.
For ease from here on in, I will talk about them in terms of simple and complex sugars. Both types of sugars are an important part of a healthy diet and provide the body with energy.
The body breaks down all of these sugars into glucose, which is used by cells for energy. This is our most basic form of sugar and it is known as blood sugar.
Too much sugar can cause weight gain IF you overconsume on your daily caloric needs. If you eat a lot of either as a mix of both simple and complex or by just having lots of one form and don’t overeat your caloric needs then that sugar isn’t turned to fat.
When you think of sugar, you probably think of the white granules that you add to your coffee or bake into cookies. However, sugar comes in many different forms, both natural and processed.
Natural sugars are found in fruits and vegetables, and they also occur naturally in milk and honey. These sugars are generally a mix of both simple and complex. Processed sugars, on the other hand, are made from sugar cane or sugar beets and have been refined to create a more concentrated sweetener. These tend to be more often simple sugars.