HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Is The Difference Between Natural And Added Sugars?

default
Posted on Wed, 6 May 2015
Question: What is the difference between sugar and natural sugars? How do they affect blood sugar?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Simple and complex carbohydrates

Detailed Answer:
Good day,

Noted your question.

Sugar is a general term used for simple carbohydrates. It could be glcuose, sucrose, fructose, maltose etc. Glucose is the purest form of sugar which increases blood sugar rapidly. Fructose is the sugar in fruits. Too many fruits at a time also can increase the blood sugar levels. Maltose is the sugar derived from malts. SUCROSE is the commercially available sugar.

What ever is the form of sugar, once you consume it, it is digested and converted to glucose and body rapdly absorbs it.

All sugars can increase blood sugar levels rapidly. All these are natural sugars.

Complex carbohydrates are seen in rice/wheat/potato etc. They are converted to simple sugars by body by digestive processes. Complex carboydrates raise the blood sugars more slowly compared to simple carbohydrates like glucose or sucrose. All these simple carbohydrates are packed with calorie and increase the weight easily.

For a patient with diabetes, doctors advice to take the carbohydartes in the form of complex carbohydrates. They should avoid or minimise simple sugars as much as possible.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 1438 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Is The Difference Between Natural And Added Sugars?

Brief Answer: Simple and complex carbohydrates Detailed Answer: Good day, Noted your question. Sugar is a general term used for simple carbohydrates. It could be glcuose, sucrose, fructose, maltose etc. Glucose is the purest form of sugar which increases blood sugar rapidly. Fructose is the sugar in fruits. Too many fruits at a time also can increase the blood sugar levels. Maltose is the sugar derived from malts. SUCROSE is the commercially available sugar. What ever is the form of sugar, once you consume it, it is digested and converted to glucose and body rapdly absorbs it. All sugars can increase blood sugar levels rapidly. All these are natural sugars. Complex carbohydrates are seen in rice/wheat/potato etc. They are converted to simple sugars by body by digestive processes. Complex carboydrates raise the blood sugars more slowly compared to simple carbohydrates like glucose or sucrose. All these simple carbohydrates are packed with calorie and increase the weight easily. For a patient with diabetes, doctors advice to take the carbohydartes in the form of complex carbohydrates. They should avoid or minimise simple sugars as much as possible.