What is sugar?

Health

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by Mya Kagan (whyzz writer) >> more about the author

When you think “sugar,” you probably think “yum!” Because it’s so sweet, lots of kids like sugar and sugary foods. But what exactly is sugar, and where does it come from??

Sugars are organic compounds that occur naturally in most plants. The white granules of sugar that you're probably used to seeing are a type of sugar compound known as "sucrose." Most of the sugar we eat comes from sugarcane plants or sometimes sugar beets. Sugar is typically used to add sweetness to the foods it is in and it is the main ingredients in most types of candy.

When it comes to nutrition, it’s important to know that sugars are simple carbohydrates which do not contain the nutrients of more complex carbohydrates such as those found in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Additionally, excess sugar is converted into fat by the body. Sugar can also be a problem when it comes to your teeth: Sugars in the mouth which aren’t properly brushed or flossed away cause the natural bacteria in your mouth to produce acid, leading to a greater chance of getting cavities. – For these reasons, most nutrition experts recommend eating sugar in moderation.

Scientifically-speaking, sugars are types of carbohydrates made up of certain combinations of the elements carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

One of the qualities of sugars are that they usually dissolve easily in water. However, if you've ever tried to stir some sugar into a glass of water-based drink like lemonade or iced tea, then you might already know that it can be a difficult task!

The reason is that water reaches a certain point at which it can't hold any more sugar, and the sugar won't dissolve. However, as the temperature of water rises, the amount of sugar that can be dissolved in it gets greater, too!

To see for yourself, try out a simple experiment with the help of a grown-up. - Measure out equal amounts of cold water and hot water. Stir one tablespoon of sugar into each.

Does all of the sugar dissolve in each glass of water, or does one dissolve more of the sugar than the other??