Advisory

Beet sugar

Beet sugar is a type of sugar made from sugar beets. It is a refined sugar, which means it undergoes a process of purification and crystallization that removes all impurities and undesirable substances. The result is pure sucrose, which is high in calories and has a high glycemic index. This means that its consumption can rapidly increase blood sugar levels, potentially leading to issues with insulin and diabetes mellitus.

From a nutritional perspective, beet sugar provides no significant nutritional value other than energy. It contains no vitamins, minerals, or fiber that are important for a healthy diet. Although sugar is necessary for certain bodily functions, such as energy production, excessive consumption of beet sugar can lead to obesity, heart disease, and other health issues. Therefore, it is important to limit its intake and prefer natural sources of sugar, such as fruit.

Hello, Mr. Jelínek.

I am curious about the differences in the digestion of fructose and beet sugar. Why can fructose ferment in the intestines for some people while sugar does not?

Thank you for your response.

In the given situation, several factors can influence digestive manifestations. It is important to distinguish between:

- the amount of sugar ingested,
- its form - pure (e.g., in beverages) vs. bound to other components (in food),
- the composition of the diet,
- the activity (diversity) of the intestinal microbiota.

The process of absorbing fructose is more complex than that of glucose (sugars are absorbed through different enzymatic reactions). Beet sugar (sucrose) is composed of glucose and fructose; therefore, when consuming the same amount of this sugar compared to pure fructose as a sweetener, the digestive tract receives a halved portion of fructose. This can lead to different digestive tract reactions in specific situations.

Furthermore, the question arises as to what exactly you mean by the term "ferment." Fructose (fruit sugar) is typically found in fruit, which is rich in soluble fiber. This fiber absorbs water in the intestines, and consuming larger amounts of fruit can lead to feelings of fullness or bloating (however, this is not "fermentation in the intestines").

Questions answered by

Mgr. Martin Jelinek
Lecturer and author of the educational system

Nutrition educator, lecturer, and author of the educational system and the ZOF learning application.

Mgr. Martin Jelínek has been systematically involved in nutrition education since 1999. He is the founder of ATAC, the educational company behind NutriCourses, and the author of an educational system focused on nutrition, healthy lifestyle, and the practical application of nutrition knowledge.

He graduated from the Faculty of Science at Masaryk University in Brno. Throughout his professional career, he has combined nutrition, education, and the practical application of acquired knowledge. His educational system also includes the ZOF (Zone of Optimal Functioning) learning application, where students turn theory into practical work with meal plans.

In 2007, he launched the first intake of a six-month course focused on the education of nutrition advisors. Over time, this course became the foundation for the further development of the educational system and a range of specialised courses.

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