Eli5: Whats the difference between “processed sugar” and sugar found in fruit, bread and milk etc? arent processed sugar the same sugar molecules as those?

Question

And more specifically, what is it that makes processed sugar worse than consuming sugar from those products, is it blood sugar spike or something?

In: 311

Answer 1

These are two different types of sugar. Processed sugar is glucose. Fruits contain fructose. The glycemic index (GI) of glucose is 100 (by defintion). Fructose is 25. The higher the GI, the faster the sugar is processed and the bigger the blood sugar spike. The bigger spike you want to avoid.

Excessive amounts of either can be bad. For most people, the fructose you consume is via fruits which contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and are satiating. Glucose is often consume in in the form of something like soda which is basically glucose and water.