Hyperactivity
How often have you blamed a child’s misbehavior on sugar? It’s a common practice. But sugar plays little to no part in a child’s behavior. Several medical studies have found no significant link between sugar intake and hyperactivity.

WebMD: Busting the Sugar-Hyperactivity Myth
 

Obesity
With only 15 calories per teaspoon, sugar is no more fattening than any other 15 calories. You gain weight by taking in more calories than your body burns for fuel. Carbohydrates (like sugar) and protein supply 4 calories per gram, whereas fats deliver more than twice that—9 calories per gram. Also, carbs and protein are converted immediately into the fuels a body needs, while fats are initially stored in fat cells for later use. Effective weight management depends on the combination of responsible eating and appropriate physical activity.

Source: Sugar Association

Diabetes
Sugar by itself does not cause diabetes. Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes evolve from a disruption of the body’s ability to convert blood glucose (commonly referred to as blood sugar) into energy. Starches and sugars – whether originating from foods like potatoes, carrots, corn, strawberries and watermelon, or from the sugar bowl, are first metabolized to glucose to meet basic energy needs.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors that trigger the onset of the disease; type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors. Being overweight does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, and a diet high in calories from any source contributes to weight gain.

Source: American Diabetes Association

Cavities
Bacteria in the mouth break down all carbohydrates – both starches and sugars. This normal process forms acids that can leach minerals from tooth enamel. Sticky snacks like raisins and other dried fruits, and starchy foods like bread sticks, cereals and potato chips, linger on teeth and prolong acid production even more than most candies. Infants and toddlers napping with a bottle of juice are also at increased risk of cavities.

Dentists advise reducing between-meal snacks and limiting sweet or sticky foods to mealtimes. Regular brushing and flossing, using fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash, and regular dentist visits are the smart foundations for controlling cavities.

Cavities are lessened by a combination of responsible dental care, smart snacking choices – whether sugar, starches, juices, or anything else, and the time of day snacks are eaten.

Source: Sugar Association

Refining
"Refined” is a misunderstood word, especially when it comes to sugar. Somehow, over the years, refined has taken on the meaning of being overly processed and manipulated. In truth, the definition of refined is “to make pure.” The refining process simply separates natural sucrose from sugar cane without bleaching or chemical manipulation. See our How Sugar is Processed infographic for a visual explanation. The Sugar Association also provides infographics on the manufacturing process. 

Cancer
It’s true that sugar feeds every cell in our body — even cancer cells. But, research shows that eating sugar doesn’t necessarily lead to cancer. It’s what sugar does to your waistline that can lead to cancer. Taking in too many sugar calories may result in weight gain. And, being overweight or obese puts you at a higher risk for cancer and other diseases.

Source: American Cancer Society

Sugar (sucrose) is a naturally occurring carbohydrate found in every fruit and vegetable. Most of the sugar in the world comes from two sources: Sugar cane and beets, as it is easily extracted from both and both contain large quantities of sucrose.  99.95% sucrose in fact.

The .05% difference is due in part to the fact that sugar cane and beets are different plants with different chemical makeups grown in different environments.

Sugar cane is a tropical grass that grows abundantly in warm, moist and tropical climates and can reach 10-20 feet in height. Four U.S. states produce sugar cane: Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana and Texas. Sugar beets are grown as an underground root crop in temperate climates.

Sugar cane is harvested by chopping off the stems or canes while leaving the roots so that the plant can grow again, making it a highly stainable crop. Sugar beets are planted every year.

Pure cane sugar is non-GMO. Imperial Sugar does not use genetically modified plants in any of our pure cane sugar products. Beet sugar can be derived from genetically modified plants. The U.S. does not require labels to designate whether the sugar is derived from sugar cane or beets. If you are concerned about avoiding beet sugar, be sure to look for "Pure Cane Sugar" on the package.

Brown sugar is simply granulated "white" sugar that has been combined with pure cane molasses. Molasses is a natural by-product of the sugar-making process. The difference between light and dark brown sugar is simply the amount of molasses added.

When a recipe calls for "brown sugar," it is usually referring to light brown sugar. Dark brown sugar should be used only when specified. This is important when baking recipes sensitive to moisture and density (such as cakes) because of the difference in moisture content between the two types of brown sugar. In other applications, substituting dark brown sugar over light brown will yield a deeper flavor with more caramel, much like adding molasses would do.

Non-GMO 

Imperial Sugar is proud to announce that many of the products you have known and loved for generations have now been verified to be GMO-free.

Learn more about Non-GMO Imperial Sugar sugar products.

Allergen-Free*

None of the eight FDA listed major food allergens are stored, processed or used on site at Imperial Sugar Company facilities: milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soybeans. In addition, none of these allergens are present either on or near any of the production areas. 

Feingold® Association

The non-profit Feingold® Association has listed Imperial Sugar's granulated sugar, powdered sugar and brown sugar, as well as Steviacane® to be free from synthetic colors, flavors, fragrances, certain preservatives and all artificial sweeteners. 

Gluten

To the best of our knowledge, all Imperial Sugar products do not contain any gluten from wheat, rye, barley or oats. 

Halal

All Imperial Sugar products meet recognized Halal standards. No animal fats, by-products or alcohol are contained in any Imperial Sugar product. 

Kosher

Imperial Sugar products have been certified Kosher by the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America.