Is Coconut Sugar Better than Cane Sugar?

This is a great question. And the answer is not simple. To understand the answer, you need to understand the difference between coconut sugar and regular cane sugar. Cane sugar is approximately 50% glucose and 50% fructose. Coconut sugar is the similar with approximately the same amount of fructose and glucose.

Although coconut sugar’s chemical makeup is almost identical to regular cane sugar, coconut sugar actually has a lower glycemic index. Glycemic index is a measure of how much a food raises blood glucose levels….the lower the glycemic index, the better. Coconut sugar may have a lower glycemic index because coconut sugar also contains a fiber called inulin which helps slow glucose absorption. In addition, coconut sugar has more nutrients than cane sugar. For example, coconut sugar contains twice the amount of iron and zinc than regular cane sugar. But keep in mind, you would have to eat a lot of coconut sugar to get its nutrient benefits. So, as I said, the answer is not simple. I would say coconut sugar is very similar to cane sugar but has some added benefits of 1) a lower glycemic index and 2) slightly more nutrients. Your overall goal should always be to avoid any added sugars in your diet but if you prefer the richer taste, coconut is a good sugar alternative in moderation.