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Brown sugar vs. White Sugar — What Are The Differences?

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Article author photo Sveta Badalyan by Sveta Badalyan | Last updated on February 12, 2024
Medically reviewed by Elen Khachatrian Article author photo Elen Khachatrian
Brown sugar
vs
Sugar

Summary

Brown sugar is high in calcium, potassium, manganese, iron, selenium, copper, zinc, magnesium, choline, potassium, and protein. It is also high in vitamins B3, B5, B6, and folate, whereas sugar has more vitamin B12, carbs, and calories. In addition, brown sugar has a higher GI value, whereas sugar has less sodium.

Introduction

This article is a comparison between brown sugar and granulated sugar

Granulated sugar is a highly processed product made from sugarcane or sugar beets. The refining process removes impurities and molasses, leaving behind pure sucrose. Brown sugar is created by reintroducing molasses into refined white sugar. 

Nutrition

The nutritional values are presented for hundred grams of brown sugar and granulated sugar. A serving size of granulated sugar is equal to 1tsp or 4.2g. A serving size of brown sugar is 1tsp or 3g.

Macronutrients and Calories

Brown sugar and sugar are predominantly composed of carbohydrates, with minimal amounts of proteins and fats. The carbohydrate content in sugar is 99%, while in brown sugar, it is 98%.

Macronutrient Comparison

Macronutrient breakdown side-by-side comparison
Contains more Protein +∞%
Contains more Water +6600%
Contains more Other +∞%
Equal in Carbs - 99.98
98%
Protein: 0.12 g
Fats: 0 g
Carbs: 98.09 g
Water: 1.34 g
Other: 0.45 g
100%
Protein: 0 g
Fats: 0 g
Carbs: 99.98 g
Water: 0.02 g
Other: 0 g
Contains more Protein +∞%
Contains more Water +6600%
Contains more Other +∞%
Equal in Carbs - 99.98

Calories

Compared to brown sugar, sugar has slightly more calories per hundred grams. In a 100g serving, brown sugar and sugar provide 380 kcal and 387 kcal, respectively. One cup (220g) of brown sugar provides 836 kcal, whereas one cup (220g) of sugar has 774 kcal.

Protein and Fats

Sugar does not contain protein, while brown sugar has only 0.12g per hundred grams. Brown sugar and sugar do not provide fats. Both are cholesterol-free.

Carbohydrates

Brown sugar and sugar contain high amounts of carbohydrates. A hundred grams of brown sugar has 98.09 grams of net carbs, whereas sugar provides 99.98 grams. The primary carb found in brown sugar is sucrose (94.5g). It also contains small amounts of glucose (1.35g) and fructose (1.11g). Sugar has only sucrose (99.8g).

Carbohydrate type comparison

Carbohydrate type breakdown side-by-side comparison
Contains more Glucose +∞%
Contains more Fructose +∞%
Equal in Sucrose - 99.8
97%
Starch: 0 g
Sucrose: 94.56 g
Glucose: 1.35 g
Fructose: 1.11 g
Lactose: 0 g
Maltose: 0 g
Galactose: 0 g
100%
Starch: 0 g
Sucrose: 99.8 g
Glucose: 0 g
Fructose: 0 g
Lactose: 0 g
Maltose: 0 g
Galactose: 0 g
Contains more Glucose +∞%
Contains more Fructose +∞%
Equal in Sucrose - 99.8

Vitamins

Brown sugar and sugar are not good sources of vitamins. Brown sugar has more vitamins B3, B5, B6, and folate, whereas sugar is high in vitamin B12.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
:
1
Sugar
Contains more Vitamin B3 +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B5 +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B6 +∞%
Contains more Folate +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +∞%
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 3% 8% 10% 1% 0% 0%
Vitamin A Vitamin E Vitamin D Vitamin C Vitamin B1 Vitamin B2 Vitamin B3 Vitamin B5 Vitamin B6 Folate Vitamin B12 Vitamin K 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 5% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
Contains more Vitamin B3 +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B5 +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B6 +∞%
Contains more Folate +∞%
Contains more Vitamin B2 +∞%

Minerals

Brown sugar provides 83 times more calcium, 67 times more potassium, 16 times more manganese, 114 times more iron, seven times more copper, three times more zinc, and two times more selenium

Brown sugar also contains magnesium, choline, and phosphorus, whereas sugar lacks these. At the same time, sugar has less sodium. In a 100g serving, brown sugar and sugar have 28mg and 1mg of sodium, respectively.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.
Contains more Calcium +8200%
Contains more Iron +1320%
Contains more Magnesium +∞%
Contains more Phosphorus +∞%
Contains more Potassium +6550%
Contains more Zinc +200%
Contains more Copper +571.4%
Contains more Manganese +1500%
Contains more Selenium +100%
Contains less Sodium -96.4%
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 25% 27% 7% 2% 12% 4% 1% 16% 9% 7%
Calcium Iron Magnesium Phosphorus Potassium Sodium Zinc Copper Manganese Selenium 1% 2% 0% 0% 1% 1% 1% 3% 1% 4%
Contains more Calcium +8200%
Contains more Iron +1320%
Contains more Magnesium +∞%
Contains more Phosphorus +∞%
Contains more Potassium +6550%
Contains more Zinc +200%
Contains more Copper +571.4%
Contains more Manganese +1500%
Contains more Selenium +100%
Contains less Sodium -96.4%

Glycemic Index

Compared to sugar, brown sugar has a higher glycemic index value. The glycemic index of brown sugar is 71, whereas sugar has a glycemic index of 65. Brown sugar falls in the high-GI food category, whereas sugar is medium-GI food.

Acidity

The PRAL number indicates the food's capacity to degrade into bases or acids within the body. The PRAL level for brown sugar is -3.9 (alkaline). Sugar has a PRAL of -0.1 (neutral).

Health Impact

Antioxidant Activities

The polyphenolic contents of sugar and brown sugar, such as flavonoids, polyphenols, and phenolic acid, are responsible for their antioxidant action. Nevertheless, brown sugar's antioxidant value is higher (1, 2, 3).

Nervous System

Consuming high amounts of sugar may increase the production of free radicals in the brain and adversely affect the nervous system.

Due to their effects on blood levels of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), high brown sugar and sugar intakes are not recommended. BDNF is involved in neuronal survival and development, neurotransmitter modulation, and neuronal plasticity, which is necessary for learning and memory. White sugar is more effective than brown sugar at decreasing serum BDNF levels (3).

Diabetes

According to the study, consumption of sugar and brown sugar has an adverse effect on insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is estimated using the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) algorithm. Compared to the control group, sugar and brown sugar have substantially higher HOMA-IR values (3).  

Excessive intake of sugar also can deteriorate the management of diabetes (4).

Obesity

Overall, long-term sugar consumption may raise the risk of obesity and other related disorders. The group that consumed white sugar gained more weight than the group that consumed brown sugar (3).

Cancer

Sugar may be a modifiable risk factor for cancer prevention (5). 

Phenolics such as tricin and apigenin have antiproliferative and chemopreventive properties (2).

According to the study, brown sugar consumption is linked to a lower risk of stomach and breast cancer (6).

Cardiovascular Health

Section reviewed by Astghik Grigoryan Article author photo Astghik Grigoryan

Consuming excessive amounts of sugar is strongly discouraged, especially for individuals who have cardiovascular diseases. It significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and accelerates atherosclerosis by reducing HDL and triglyceride levels (4).

Appearance

Sugar is pure and comes in the form of crystalline, colorless granules. On the other hand, as the name suggests, brown sugar is brown because it contains molasses. Depending on the amount of molasses, it can range from pale to dark brown.

Taste and Use

Due to the molasses component, brown sugar has a deeper flavor. It may have a faint caramel or toffee flavor. The taste can range from light and mildly sweet to dark and more robust, depending on the type of brown sugar (light or dark) and its molasses content. Sugar has a neutral, sweet taste with no discernible molasses flavor.

The texture of sugar is crystalline, while brown sugar has a somewhat coarser texture.

You can use brown sugar and sugar for cooking, baking, making beverages, and candies. You may also use brown sugar for making caramel and toffee.

The decision on which one to choose is on personal preference and the distinct features. 

Varieties

Brown sugar is a type of sugar. There are two main types of brown sugar: light and dark. Light brown sugar contains a lower amount of molasses, while dark one has a higher amount.

Article author photo Sveta Badalyan
Education: General Medicine at YSMU
Last updated: February 12, 2024
Medically reviewed by Elen Khachatrian

Infographic

Brown sugar vs Sugar infographic
Infographic link

Comparison summary table

Pay attention to the rightmost column. It displays the amounts side by side, giving a clearer understanding of the difference.
Brown sugar Sugar
Lower in Sodium ok
Lower in Glycemic Index ok
Lower in Sugar ok
Lower in price ok
Rich in minerals ok
Lower in Cholesterol Equal
Lower in Saturated Fat Equal
Rich in vitamins Equal

All nutrients comparison - raw data values

Nutrient Brown sugar Sugar Opinion
Net carbs 98.09g 99.98g Sugar
Protein 0.12g 0g Brown sugar
Carbs 98.09g 99.98g Sugar
Calories 380kcal 387kcal Sugar
Fructose 1.11g 0g Brown sugar
Sugar 97.02g 99.8g Brown sugar
Calcium 83mg 1mg Brown sugar
Iron 0.71mg 0.05mg Brown sugar
Magnesium 9mg 0mg Brown sugar
Phosphorus 4mg 0mg Brown sugar
Potassium 133mg 2mg Brown sugar
Sodium 28mg 1mg Sugar
Zinc 0.03mg 0.01mg Brown sugar
Copper 0.047mg 0.007mg Brown sugar
Manganese 0.064mg 0.004mg Brown sugar
Selenium 1.2µg 0.6µg Brown sugar
Vitamin B2 0mg 0.019mg Sugar
Vitamin B3 0.11mg 0mg Brown sugar
Vitamin B5 0.132mg 0mg Brown sugar
Vitamin B6 0.041mg 0mg Brown sugar
Folate 1µg 0µg Brown sugar

Which food is preferable for your diet?

ok
ok
is better in case of low diet
Brown sugar Sugar
Low Fats diet Equal
Low Carbs diet ok
Low Calories diet ok
Low Glycemic Index diet ok

People also compare

Vitamins & Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score

The summary scores indicate the extent to which this food can fulfill your daily vitamin and mineral requirements if you consume 3 servings, consisting of 100 grams of each (an approximation of 3 serving sizes).
Vitamins Daily Need Coverage Score
2%
Brown sugar
0%
Sugar
Minerals Daily Need Coverage Score
11%
Brown sugar
1%
Sugar

Comparison summary

Which food contains less Sodium?
Sugar
Sugar contains less Sodium (difference - 27mg)
Which food is lower in glycemic index?
Sugar
Sugar is lower in glycemic index (difference - 6)
Which food is lower in Sugar?
Brown sugar
Brown sugar is lower in Sugar (difference - 2.78g)
Which food is cheaper?
Brown sugar
Brown sugar is cheaper (difference - $0.1)
Which food is richer in minerals?
Brown sugar
Brown sugar is relatively richer in minerals
Which food contains less Cholesterol?
?
The foods are relatively equal in Cholesterol (0 mg)
Which food contains less Saturated Fat?
?
The foods are relatively equal in Saturated Fat (0 g)
Which food is richer in vitamins?
?
It cannot be stated which food is richer in vitamins. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information. See the charts below for detailed information.

References

All the values for which the sources are not specified explicitly are taken from FDA’s Food Central. The exact link to the food presented on this page can be found below.

  1. Brown sugar - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168833/nutrients
  2. Sugar - https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169655/nutrients

All the Daily Values are presented for males aged 31-50, for 2000-calorie diets.

Data provided by FoodStruct.com should be considered and used as information only. Please consult your physician before beginning any diet.