Sugar (/ ʃʊɡər /) is a class of sweet-tasting, soluble carbohydrates, many of which are used in food. Simple sugars, also called monosaccharides, include glucose, fructose and galactose. Sugar, any of numerous sweet, colorless, water-soluble compounds present in the sap of seed plants and the milk of mammals and making up the simplest group of carbohydrates.

Understanding the Context

The most common sugar is sucrose, a crystalline tabletop and industrial sweetener used in foods and beverages. Get the facts about sugar and sugar substitutes, including which types of sweeteners are best for your health. Eating too much sugar is well known for raising the risk of obesity and diabetes, but many people may be surprised to learn that their taste for sugar can have a serious impact on their heart health. Sugar – particularly added sugar – is in nearly all of our food.

Key Insights

Whether you have a sweet tooth or not, it’s important to know the benefits and consequences of all three kinds of sugar, and how we can adjust our relationship to them. While it might sound man-made, sucrose is simply the chemical name for sugar, the simple carbohydrate we know and love that is produced naturally. What is Sugar? What is Sucrose? Is Sugar a Carb?

Final Thoughts

| Sugar.org Explore the different types of sugar and sweeteners. Learn about sugar types, their uses, and how different kinds of sugar impact taste and health.