Grain sugar: the fructose-free alternative?

corn sugar
Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / 955169

Grain sugar is a fructose-free alternative to conventional table sugar. Learn more about the pros, cons, and uses of this sweetener here.

Grain sugar is dried glucose syrup made from starch. The starch is mostly obtained from corn, potatoes or wheat. In contrast to conventional household sugar, grain sugar does not contain any thanks to the special manufacturing process fructose (fruit sugar). Therefore, corn sugar provides especially for people with fructose intolerance represents a sugar alternative. However, this does not apply to corn syrup, which in addition to glucose (dextrose) also contains plenty of fructose.

Grain sugar has these advantages

Grain sugar in cake batter.
Grain sugar in cake batter.
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / congerdesign)

As a fructose-free sugar alternative, corn sugar has the following advantages:

  • Cooking and baking property: When cooking and baking, grain sugar behaves in a similar way to conventional household sugar. You can exchange it one-to-one for regular sugar. But you should keep in mind that it has a little less sweetening power in comparison.
  • No bound water: Compared to glucose, grain sugar does not contain any bound water in its structure. So when you bake with corn sugar, the glucose doesn’t liquefy in the batter. This way you can achieve the same consistency with corn sugar as with regular sugar.

Grain sugar has these disadvantages

Grain sugar causes blood sugar to rise quickly.
Grain sugar causes blood sugar to rise quickly.
(Photo: CC0 / Pixabay / stevepb)

There is of course a downside. In the following we will show you the negative aspects that grain sugar can be associated with.

  • blood sugar: The grain sugar, or rather the glucose it mainly contains, gets into the bloodstream quickly and can cause blood sugar to rise rapidly. It always depends on what other foods you combine it with. For example, you can combine corn sugar with blood sugar-regulating foods like green leafy vegetables, cinnamon, garlic, or olive oil.
  • Taste: Corn sugar has a mild sweetness. It can possibly bring a slightly bitter to metallic note. It is best to test this unique taste with small amounts first.
  • Costs: Grain sugar is significantly more expensive than household sugar. It is in the same price range as other sugar alternatives, such as date sugar (but you can also Make date sugar yourself), coconut blossom sugar or maple syrup.

Overall, grain sugar seems to be easily digestible. How you tolerate him personally, you have to find out for yourself. You can start with small amounts in the coffee, for example. If you don’t have any symptoms, you might be able to try a dough with corn sugar. You usually need larger amounts than in coffee, but the sugar is also bound to other ingredients such as flour, spices or vegetables. This can improve tolerance.

As with table sugar and other sugar alternatives, you should only use grain sugar in small quantities and within the framework of one balanced diet consume.

Tip: You can also use the corn sugar in combination with other sweeteners. If the recipe is to remain fructose-free, there are options, for example rice syrup or Stevia on.

Read more on Techzle.com:

  • Are Eggs Healthy? Nutritional values ​​and important information
  • Beware of pesticides: 12 types of fruit and vegetables that you should buy organic
  • Applesauce cake from the tin: A recipe for the quick cake

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