What is sucrose (saccharose)?

What role does sucrose play in health?

Provide energy for the body

Sucrose provides energy 3.94 kilocalories per gram (or 17 kilojoules per gram).

When tired, stressed or hungry, sucrose-containing foods will provide very good energy for cells, helping the body recover quickly.

The brain needs sugar to function

Sucrose is an easily digestible nutrient that is a quick source of energy for the body.

Glucose is a necessary fuel for the brain to function, stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin, helps the brain recognize and control food intake, and avoids obesity.

Create a reserve of energy for the body

Sucrose helps increase blood glucose. This energy source will be used when the body needs a large amount of glucose immediately, such as when doing sports with high intensity in a short time.

With young children

If you don’t get enough sugar, your baby’s body will extract calories from protein, affecting his metabolism and hindering his growth.

Newborns mainly absorb calories converted from lactose in breast milk, but after 6 months of age babies need additional calories from sucrose from other foods such as cereals, fruits…

Note, sucrose is one of the causes of tooth decay because it creates an ideal pH level for oral bacteria to thrive, so it is necessary for children to use it rationally and scientifically.

For pregnant women

Sucrose helps pregnant women increase energy, maintain health for pregnancy. But pregnant women note that too much sugar can cause overweight, and if you have gestational diabetes, you should limit your tolerance of sucrose and foods high in sugar into the body.

Sucrose source for the body

– Natural foods: Sugarcane, honey, sugar beets, jaggery, some fruits…

– Processed foods: Confectionery, ice cream, bottled water…

Some formula products also contain sucrose.

Sucrose is a natural sugar found in varying amounts in plants such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Sucrose is also produced commercially from sugar cane and sugar beets. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the top sugar beet-producing regions in the United States are western Minnesota, eastern North Dakota, and Idaho. U.S. Sugarcane is produced in southern Florida, the Mississippi Delta region of Louisiana, and southern Texas.

Precautions when using sucrose

– Sucrose is not a necessary ingredient in the human diet for nutritional balance. It is mainly added to make food more delicious.

Excessive use of sucrose can destroy tooth enamel, causing tooth decay.

Rapid digestion of sucrose causes a rise in blood glucose and can cause some problems for people with defects in glucose metabolism, such as those with hypoglycemia or diabetes. .

– Formula milk with lactose replaced by sucrose will not really be nutritionally beneficial.

Thus, sucrose has the effect of providing energy for the body, but should not be overused because it can lead to obesity, increase blood sugar, and lead to the risk of dangerous diseases. It should be noted to add sucrose reasonably!

Source: Food Insight

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