Rock sugar has a cooling property and sweet taste, making it a familiar ingredient for many households. However, not everyone is aware of its health benefits and how to use rock sugar correctly and effectively. Refer to the information below to learn “What is rock sugar made from?” and “Is it good to eat rock sugar?”
1. What is rock sugar made from?
The main ingredients used to make rock sugar are sugarcane, beets, palm trees, or toddy palm trees… Rock sugar contains saccharose along with some trace elements that help in the process of breaking down into fructose and glucose.
Rock sugar is often used as a substitute for refined sugar and is considered healthier, containing less sugar compared to white sugar.
Rock sugar appears as large sugar crystals and has a hard texture. This type of rock sugar usually comes in two colors: clear white and caramel (light yellow or dark brown). It is packaged and sold in the form of crystalline sugar or square rocks. This type of sugar contains fewer calories compared to refined white sugar.
2. Nutritional content in rock sugar:
1 teaspoon (4 grams) of rock sugar contains:
- Calories: 25
- Protein: 0 gram
- Fat: 0 gram
- Carbohydrate: 6,5 grams
- Dietary fiber: 0 gram
- Sugar: 6,5 grams
Sugar provides a quick source of energy for the body, but it does not supply any significant amounts of vitamins or minerals.
3. Some traditional remedies using rock sugar:
Using rock sugar to cook desserts, cakes, or steamed bird's nests provides a cooling and refreshing taste. It helps to cool down on hot summer days and is considered much healthier for consumers than refined sugar.
When people mention rock sugar, they immediately think of traditional remedies for cough and sore throat that use rock sugar along with white rose petals, kumquat peels, or lime. Some traditional remedies using rock sugar include:
- Steaming with chrysanthemum petals helps to lower blood pressure.
- A remedy for persistent cough in people with tuberculosis: Steam rock sugar with dewy caesalpinia pulcherrima. Drink in the early morning.
- Treating weather-induced cough: Steam white rose petals with a little rock sugar.
- Dry cough: Use rock sugar cooked with tangerine peel, and drink for several days.
- Treating weather-induced colds: Mix rock sugar with boiling water and freshly crushed ginger, and drink while the water is still warm.
- Cooking concentrated winter melon with rock sugar, then straining out the residue and drinking only the liquid helps stimulate digestion and improves appetite.
- Replenishing energy and blood for people recovering from illness: Cook rock sugar with ginseng, glutinous rice, and lotus seeds into a very nutritious porridge.
- A remedy for nourishing the kidneys and enhancing male fertility: Steam rock sugar with okra roots to effectively improve sexual health.
4. Is it good to eat rock sugar?
Consuming rock sugar in the right way and in appropriate amounts is very beneficial for your health. The crystallization and recrystallization process of rock sugar makes it easy to digest and leaves a cooling effect on the body.
Rock sugar is one of the common ingredients that we consume after a delicious meal along with fennel to promote digestion. Rock sugar is also used as an excellent mouth freshener. Below are some health benefits of eating rock sugar.
4.1 Treat common cold and cough
Cough, cold, and sore throat are common issues, especially during winter. Rock sugar is a miraculous ingredient with healing properties that can quickly alleviate these conditions.
4.2 Consuming rock sugar helps promote digestion.
Rock sugar is a suitable candy that you can use after an elaborate meal to promote digestion. It initiates the digestive process immediately and is used as a dessert after meals.
4.3 Boosting energy
Consuming rock sugar is an instant energy source, refreshing your dull mood and boosting energy during postmenopausal mood swings. Drinking a glass of warm milk with rock sugar at night helps improve memory.
In addition, rock sugar helps us maintain high energy levels, keeping our bodies healthy.
4.4 Beverages
Rock sugar is often used as a refreshing beverage in the summer. It has a soothing effect on the mind and body, and reduces stress. It is an instant source of energy and can balance the body and relax the senses. This refreshing drink is made by mixing a spoonful of rock sugar powder into a glass of water.
5. Risks associated with rock sugar:
According to experts, the daily sugar intake needs to be carefully adjusted.
In fact, the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) dietary guidelines recommend that no more than 10% of your daily calories come from added sugar. The American Heart Association recommends less than six teaspoons of sugar per day for women and nine teaspoons per day for men.
5.1 Risk of obesity
Americans consume an average of 17 teaspoons of sugar per day. This adds nearly 26 kg of sugar per person per year. There is ample evidence that excessive sugar consumption contributes to weight gain, which can ultimately lead to obesity. Obesity is linked to several health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, etc.
5.2 Type 2 diabetes
Excess weight and a high-carbohydrate diet both increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
5.3 Cardiovascular disease
Studies have shown a link between a high-sugar diet and an increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease. The results of a long-term study indicate that people who consume 17-21% of their daily calories from added sugars have a 38% higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
5.4 Oral health
While sugar doesn't directly harm teeth, it allows sugar-eating bacteria to adhere to them, forming a layer of plaque. Plaque enables bacteria to survive on your teeth for a long period. Bacteria produce acids that erode tooth enamel over time, causing cavities.
Other harmful products secreted by bacteria can infiltrate your gum tissue and cause gingivitis. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to a more serious condition called periodontitis, which can lead to the destruction of bone and tissues around your teeth.
There are many benefits, but also many potential risks. Therefore, you should not overuse rock sugar in every cake, dessert, or dish just because you love its sweet taste. Do not consume too much sugar – that is always the advice of nutrition experts. And although rock sugar is very good, you should not eat too much of it.
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Reference sources: Webmd.com, Easyayurveda.com
