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

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

Sugar

1

Starch: 0 g

Sucrose: 99.8 g

Glucose: 0 g

Fructose: 0 g

Lactose: 0 g

Maltose: 0 g

Galactose: 0 g

Brown sugar

2

Starch: 0 g

Sucrose: 94.56 g

Glucose: 1.35 g

Fructose: 1.11 g

Lactose: 0 g

Maltose: 0 g

Galactose: 0 g

Contains more GlucoseGlucose	+∞%
Contains more FructoseFructose	+∞%

~equal in Starch ~0g

~equal in Sucrose ~94.56g

~equal in Lactose ~0g

~equal in Maltose ~0g

~equal in Galactose ~0g

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.

Sugar

1

Brown sugar

5

Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2

+∞%

Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3	+∞%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5	+∞%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6	+∞%
Contains more FolateFolate	+∞%
Contains more CholineCholine	+∞%

~equal in Vitamin C ~0mg

~equal in Vitamin A ~0IU

~equal in Vitamin E ~0mg

~equal in Vitamin D ~0µg

~equal in Vitamin B1 ~0mg

~equal in Vitamin B12 ~0µg

~equal in Vitamin K ~0µg

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.

Sugar

1

Brown sugar

9

Contains less SodiumSodium

-96.4%

Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium	+∞%
Contains more CalciumCalcium	+8200%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium	+6550%
Contains more IronIron	+1320%
Contains more CopperCopper	+571.4%
Contains more ZincZinc	+200%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus	+∞%
Contains more ManganeseManganese	+1500%
Contains more SeleniumSelenium	+100%

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).

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 cardiologist 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).