Guest guest Posted July 12, 2004 Report Share Posted July 12, 2004 I have wondered about this for awhile. I even did some research on the net. My question is: Does anyone know exactly how white sugar is manufactured that make it so bad? I know that almost all the vitamins and minerals are taken out during the manufacturing process. I know that it is bleached and that chemicals are used to do this. I realize that different manufacturers may use slightly different processes and chemicals. Does anyone know of sources where I can get in depth information on this? Thanks, GB Khalsa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2004 Report Share Posted July 14, 2004 ayurveda, Guru Khalsa <greatyoga> wrote: Does anyone > know exactly how white sugar is manufactured that make > it so bad? I know that almost all the vitamins and > minerals are taken out during the manufacturing > process. I know that it is bleached and that > chemicals are used to do this. I realize that > different manufacturers may use slightly different > processes and chemicals. Does anyone know of sources > where I can get in depth information on this? Dear Guru Khalsa, Having been born and brought up in a country which is one of the largest manufacturer of white sugar and also in Maharashtra state well known for sugar production, the author thought he must reply this mail. Production of sugar requires driving out water part in Sugarcane juice and crystalization of sugar, which can be done by evaporation. Sugar cane juice contains an appreciable amount of calcium salts which tend to deposit in evaporators causing poor heat transfer. These calcium scales are very hard, and mechanical cleaning can be a lengthy process causing long shutdown of the plant. Antiscalants change the salt caracter and increase production without shutdowns. Scales formed are soft and can be easily cleaned. Any wonder why nowadays we need Calcium suplliments to take care of Rheumatism and other joint/muscle pains? The largest industry in food sector is devoted to production of crystal white sugar and liquid sugar syrups. The shining white sugar that comes from refining raw sugar is a result of The macroporous resins. They remove salts (Compounds of Na, K, Ca, Mg, essential for our nervous system and heart in particular) from the raw solutions which would otherwise compromise the sweet taste of the sugar; they also remove the yellowish brown substances which give the raw sugar its colour. A number of such chemicals can be fully studied at the commercial site of a chemical giant: http://www.lewatit.com/ion/en/applications/food_stuffs/sugar/index.asp ?group=2&segment=13&app=53 Your primary interest is to know what is so bad about these chemicals rather than setting up a sugar plant. First, you may note the disposal difficulties after use, given by above manufacturer to comply with legal standards posed by health agencies. The very process of cleaning sugar produces chemical waste which is a great environmental hazard. Secondly, whatever logic applies to iodized salt (another white poison) given in earlier post, reproduced below for convenience, should apply to sugar also, since minerals get removed. " Another reasaon for extra water needs of body is iodized salt. It is 99.99% pure sodium chloride plus iodine added. Essential minerals get removed and you take pure NaCl, causing mineral deficiency. Body then tries to find minerals through water and other substances." curezone.com gives some explanation about salt. The primary concern of the author is that many ayurvedic remedies contain jaggery, and nowadays farmers have started using similar chemicals to obtain sweet taste and golden brown color to jaggery, to fetch better price in the market. Farmers who do not use chemicals tend to produce jaggery having slightly salty tasting Jaggery which is dull in color. If you wish to witness Sugar/Jaggery making process and see chemicals used in abundance, please make a visit to Maharashtra or U.P., Haryana. Author would be happy to arrange your visit to Maharashtra plants. Incidently, these sugar factories have breeded a large group of politicians popularly known as 'Sugar lobby' in journalists. Dr Bhate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2004 Report Share Posted July 14, 2004 Dr. Bhate: I am not much of a sugar person, I stay away from it. I did buy some raw sugar, it is a light tan color. Only to use in iced tea, which really isn't iced, as I have to let it set to room temperature. Is that okay to consume? In your humble opinion. Blessings & Love, Bonnie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2004 Report Share Posted July 14, 2004 Sugar cane is a seasonal crop and God provided us so many different seasonal sweet fruits to be used as sweetners to our tongue. While he provides such a diverse menu, we wish to stick to only one and created thousands of sugar making plant. And every year more land is brought under sugar farming in India. Whenever we use manmade chemicals to preserve fruits, we subject ourselves to chemical attack. On the other hand, Pickles made bu using oil, salt as preservatives are harmless for health (they may unbalance pitta, but that is their property). Why white sugar is bad for us and fruits in raw form are better options is discussed on website: http://www.thefruitpages.com/detoxification.shtml Indians knew this long back and hence white sugar was never encouraged. We were used to natural Jaggery, which is just solidified sugarcan juice with the process of evaporation. Subjecting any thing to Agni improves its digestion. Jaggery, though pitta enhancer, becomes pitta pacifier when soaked for 2-3 hours and water is drunk. India has been sugar manufacturer since 1930s and a site which gives complete information on different kind of sugar, sugar syrup, jaggery, their effects on health, sulphurless sugar, most natural sugar and also sells online at cost something like 12 USD a kg is www.sugarindia.com Comparison between different kinds of sugar is also available in tabular form. Hope this answers your quenstions. Dr Bhate ayurveda, "bonniect" <bonniect@c...> wrote: I did buy some raw sugar, it is a light tan color. Is that okay to consume? In your humble opinion. > Bonnie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2004 Report Share Posted July 15, 2004 Thank you Dr. Bhate, I appreciate this information. Bon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.