Farmers often use pesticides on food crops to control insect populations. Organic farms eliminate use of pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals on food products. Organic sugar comes from sugarcane fields that comply with these regulations. No scientific evidence suggests that eating organic sugar is more nutritious or safe than choosing conventional sugar.
Identification
To be labeled organic, sugar must be produced from organically grown sugar cane. Manufacturers process the organic sugar cane without using any synthetic chemicals, according to Organic Guide. Purchasing certified organic cane sugar ensures that the final product contains no trace pesticides, fertilizers or synthetic chemicals. The Organic Food Dictionary reports that Paraguay and Brazil are the largest exporters of organic sugar.
Misconceptions
An organic label does not mean that the sugar is completely unprocessed or raw. Like conventional sugar, organic sugar is pure sucrose refined from sugar cane. Evaporated cane juice and turbinado are considered raw sugars because they undergo little processing. These raw sugars are darker than white sugar and have coarser crystals. An organic label means that the sugar cane was grown organically, not that the final product remains unrefined.
Nutrition
Both conventional white sugar and organic sugar consist of sucrose molecules, which means they contain the same number of calories. Your body processes both types of sugar the same way, making them equivalent on a metabolic level. MayoClinic.com reports that there is no conclusive scientific evidence to suggest that organic foods contain more nutrients than conventional foods. The U.S. Department of Agriculture certifies organic sugars but does not claim that organic sugar is more nutritious than conventional sugar.
Effects
Sugar consumption is associated with obesity, increased insulin levels, diabetes, high blood pressure and energy slumps. Organic sugar does not protect your body from these effects, because it is chemically identical to conventional sugar. Keep your intake of sugar low by avoiding processed foods and sweets. The American Heart Association recommends women eat less than 100 calories and men less than 150 calories from sugar each day.
Considerations
Organic sugar contains no pesticides or synthetic chemicals from refining processes. While there is no scientific evidence to suggest that organic sugar is more nutritious or safe than conventional sugar, studies on the nutritional value of organic foods are ongoing. Organic food production reduces pollution, preserves farmland and conserves water. Purchasing organic sugar may be beneficial for these environmental reasons even if it does not confer a nutritional benefit.
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