Chapter 16 - The benefit of Indian jaggery over sugar on human health

Abstract

The noncentrifugal sugar which is prepared from sugarcane juice is called as Jaggery and is known by different name in the world such as Panela, Kokuto, and Muscovado. The nutrient value of jaggery is increased while preparing with different methods from sugarcane juice. The micronutrients which are present in Jaggery have many nutritional and medicinal aspects such as its anticarcinogenic and antitoxic activity. Jaggery has proved itself better when compared with white sugar. Jaggery is known to produce heat and give instant energy to a human body. Sugar and sweet consumption have been popular throughout the world, increasing trend of per capita sugar consumption assumes significance in view of the high tendency for individuals to develop insulin resistance, abdominal adiposity, and hepatic steatosis, and the increasing chronic disease such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Multiple prevention strategies could be adopted to decrease the white sugar consumption from various stakeholders (government, industry, and consumers) by different methods such as increasing taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages and increasing promotion for the consumption of jaggery and related products.