Honey vs. Sugar

Both sweeteners contain glucose and fructose. However, for sugar, the process of manufacturing destroys the organic acids, protein, nitrogen elements, enzymes and vitamins in the sugar cane. Whereas, raw honey is not processed in this manner. Honey also has certain beneficial antioxidant and antimicrobial properties which are not present in table sugar.

One tablespoon of table sugar or sucrose contains 46 calories, while one tablespoon of natural sweetener honey has 64 calories. Though honey may have more calories, people actually need to use less of it since it is sweeter than table sugar. As a result, you may in fact consume even less amount of calories than you would with sugar. In the long run, even though honey is more expensive, it may be more economical than table sugar. Take a look at how much table sugar is consumed in a can of coke—10 teaspoons. A 50g chocolate bar—7 teaspoons!

Table sugar is sucrose, which is made up of two molecules bonded together. When table sugar is consumed, the stomach has to use its own enzymes to separate the molecules apart before the body can use the sugar's energy. Honey is quite different. The bees have added a special enzyme to the nectar that divides the sucrose into glucose and fructose. These are two simple sugars that the body can absorb directly.

Table sugar is often called empty calories because it lacks minerals and vitamins. Sugar draws upon the body's nutrients to be metabolized into the system. When these nutrients are all used up, metabolizing of undesirable cholesterol and fatty acid is impeded, contributing to higher cholesterol and promoting obesity due to higher fatty acid on the organs and tissues. That is why it is not uncommon for overweight people to suffer from malnutrition and many other health related problems.

The message is, honey vs. sugar. Honey is a smarter choice than sugar. Besides the differences in nutrition, most people feel sugar can never compete with honey in taste. Although both are sweet, honey has a unique flavor that can be useful and superior in many foods. The range of honey floral varieties is so vast that experiencing the uniqueness of each variety, being able to appreciate each variety, to explore every possibility, to complement, and to improve the taste of different types of foods, becomes a skillful art.