In recent years, many households have switched from white sugar to Nattu Sakkarai believing it to be a healthier or diabetes friendly alternative. Patients with diabetes often ask whether replacing white sugar with country sugar can help reduce blood sugar levels. This belief has become especially common due to social media trends and word of mouth advice.
However, when it comes to diabetes management, food choices must be guided by medical science rather than popular perception. In this article, Dr. M. Sashi Kumar, Diabetologist at Deepa Hospital, explains the truth behind Nattu Sakkarai and white sugar and what diabetic patients should really focus on.
Why This Question Matters for People with Diabetes
For people living with diabetes, even small dietary changes can significantly impact blood glucose control. Many patients assume that choosing a “natural” or less refined sugar automatically makes it safer. Unfortunately, this assumption can lead to unintended blood sugar spikes and poor glycemic control.
Understanding how different sugars behave in the body helps patients make informed decisions and avoid common dietary mistakes.
Understanding Nattu Sakkarai and White Sugar
A Common Origin
Both Nattu Sakkarai and white sugar originate from the same source: sugarcane. This is an important fact that is often overlooked. While their appearance and processing differ, their basic carbohydrate structure remains similar.
The Processing Difference
Nattu Sakkarai undergoes minimal processing and retains molasses, which gives it its brown color and slightly earthy taste. Because of this, it contains small amounts of minerals.
White sugar, on the other hand, is refined extensively to remove molasses and impurities, resulting in pure sucrose crystals.
While processing affects texture, color, and mineral content, it does not significantly change how these sugars affect blood glucose levels.
Calories and Glycemic Index: What the Numbers Say
Calorie Comparison
One of the most common misconceptions is that Nattu Sakkarai is low calorie. In reality, the difference is minimal.
- Nattu Sakkarai contains approximately 370 calories per 100 grams
- White sugar contains approximately 390 calories per 100 grams
A difference of 20 calories is clinically insignificant and does not translate into better diabetes control.
Glycemic Index Explained Simply
The glycemic index measures how quickly a food raises blood sugar levels after consumption. Foods with a high glycemic index cause rapid spikes in blood glucose.
Both Nattu Sakkarai and white sugar have a similar glycemic index, meaning they raise blood sugar at nearly the same speed. From a diabetic perspective, this makes them metabolically alike.
Do the Minerals in Nattu Sakkarai Make It Healthier?
Nattu Sakkarai contains trace amounts of minerals such as iron, potassium, and magnesium due to the presence of molasses. While this sounds beneficial, the quantity of these minerals is extremely small.
To obtain meaningful nutritional benefits from these minerals, one would need to consume large amounts of Nattu Sakkarai, which would be harmful and dangerous for blood sugar control.
Therefore, the mineral content does not justify considering Nattu Sakkarai a healthier sugar for diabetics.
Dr. M. Sashi Kumar’s Medical Perspective
According to Dr. M. Sashi Kumar, Nattu Sakkarai is still sugar. It is not a treatment, remedy, or solution for diabetes.
No form of sugar can lower blood glucose levels. Whether natural, unrefined, or brown in color, sugar remains a carbohydrate that increases blood sugar.
For diabetic patients, the focus should not be on switching sugar types but on reducing total sugar intake and maintaining overall dietary balance.
Practical Sugar Guidelines for Diabetic Patients
Managing diabetes effectively requires a broader approach rather than searching for a “safe sugar.”
- Limit overall sugar consumption, regardless of type
- Pay attention to portion sizes
- Read food labels carefully, especially in packaged foods
- Avoid hidden sugars in sauces, snacks, and beverages
- Prefer whole foods like vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
- Use sugar substitutes only under medical guidance
Dietary changes should always be individualized based on medical history and blood sugar patterns.
Common Mistakes Diabetics Make With Natural Sugars
Many diabetic patients unknowingly fall into these traps:
- Assuming brown or natural sugars are harmless
- Increasing quantity after switching from white sugar
- Ignoring blood sugar monitoring after dietary changes
- Following social media advice instead of medical guidance
Such mistakes can lead to uncontrolled diabetes and long term complications.
How Deepa Hospital Helps Patients Manage Diabetes Safely
At Deepa Hospital, diabetes care goes beyond medication. The hospital offers a comprehensive and patient centered approach that includes:
- Personalized dietary counseling
- Medical nutrition therapy
- Regular blood sugar monitoring
- Lifestyle guidance and education
- Multidisciplinary care for long term diabetes management
Patients receive evidence based advice tailored to their individual health needs.
Conclusion: Focus on Control, Not Sugar Myths
While Nattu Sakkarai is slightly less processed than white sugar, its effect on blood sugar is almost the same. The belief that it can reduce or control diabetes is a myth.
Effective diabetes management depends on informed food choices, portion control, and medical guidance, not on replacing one sugar with another.
Consult a Specialist
If you have diabetes or concerns about blood sugar control, consult the diabetology team at Deepa Hospital for personalized advice, dietary guidance, and long term diabetes care.