![Invert Sugar: Nutrition, Benefits, and Uses](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/invert-sugar-nutrition.jpg?output-quality=75)
Invert sugar is a type of liquid sweetener used in beverages and processed foods due to its ability to retain moisture and a smooth texture.
Learn what invert sugar is and how it compares to table sugar.
What is invert sugar?
Invert sugar is made from table sugar, or sucrose. Sucrose is a disaccharide, a carbohydrate that has two monosaccharides—glucose and fructose—joined together by a chemical bond.
Invert sugar is made when the bond between glucose and fructose breaks, releasing the two monosaccharides in a liquid solution. This creates a thick syrup that is about 50% glucose and 50% fructose.
Ideally invert sugar solution should contain equal amounts of fructose and glucose (1:1) and no sucrose. However, the amounts may differ depending on how long the sucrose solution was heated. Thus, you may get an invert sugar solution that may have some amount of sucrose besides fructose and glucose.
Why is it called invert sugar?
Solutions are identified through various physical and chemical properties. One physical property of invert sugar is its ability to reflect light.
When polarized light is passed through the sucrose solution, it deviates at a certain angle characteristic of the sucrose or sugar solution. On passing the polarized light through invert sugar, however, the deviation is in the opposite direction, thus giving this sugar the name invert sugar.
What is the nutritional profile of invert sugar?
Since invert sugar is made from sucrose, it is pure carbohydrate with the same nutritional value as table sugar.
According to the USDA, one tablespoon of invert sugar (about 14 grams) contains 46 calories all from sugars.
The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar intake to no more than 6% of your daily calorie consumption. This is equivalent to about:
- 9 teaspoons (36 grams) per day for most men
- 6 teaspoons (25 grams) per day for most women and children older than 2 years
Excess consumption of added sugar including invert sugar, table sugar, and honey is detrimental to your health. It has been linked to chronic inflammation and chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
What are the benefits and uses of invert sugar?
Invert sugar has several culinary benefits.
Because it has fructose in its free form, rather than bonded to glucose as in sucrose, invert sugar is sweeter than sucrose. It is also more hygroscopic, which means it readily attracts water molecules. This hygroscopic property helps maintain the moisture and smoothness of food products. It is less likely to form crystals than sucrose and readily dissolves in various recipes.
Invert sugar is commonly used alone or in combination with other sweeteners, such as maple syrup, jaggery, and honey, to make various foods including:
- Ice creams
- Jellies
- Sorbet
- Syrups
- Fudge
- Cakes
- Chocolates
- Shakes
- Smoothies
- Pastries
- Granola bars
- Sweetened yogurts
![](https://images.medicinenet.com//images/slideshow/foods-that-arent-as-healthy-as-you-think/foods-that-arent-as-healthy-as-you-think-s1-bulletproof-coffee.jpg)
SLIDESHOW
Foods That Aren't as Healthy as You Think See SlideshowCan you make invert sugar at home?
You can make invert sugar at home fairly easily.
Ingredients
- Water
- Table sugar
- Cream of tartar, citric acid, or lemon juice
- Kitchen thermometer
Instructions
- Put about 2 cups of water in a pot and add about 4 1/2 cups of table sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of cream of tartar.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Heat until the mixture reaches 236 F and turn off the heat.
- Remove the mixture from the heat, cover it, and allow it to cool at room temperature.
- Transfer to storage jars and keep in the refrigerator.
- Invert sugar can be stored for up to 6 months.
Health News
- One Death, 10 Hospitalizations in Listeria Outbreak Tied to Peaches, Plums
- Charity Scams Get Active Over the Holidays: Expert Tips to Avoid Them
- Too Few Seniors Get Follow-up Care After a Serious Fall
- AI Could Predict a Nonsmoker's Risk for Lung Cancer
- Breast Cancer Rates Higher in Urban vs. Rural Areas
More Health News »
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Invert Sugar. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/invert-sugar
Invert Sugar. https://www.britannica.com/topic/invert-sugar
Added Sugars. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/sugar/added-sugars
Top Invert Sugar: Nutrition, Benefits, and Uses Related Articles
Body Blood Sugar Levels
High blood sugar can be a sign of diabetes or prediabetes. The drugs that treat it sometimes cause low blood sugar too. WebMD helps guide you through the effects of both.High-Sugar Fruits
Sugar content in fruit varies. High-sugar fruits include mangoes, pears, grapes, cherries, bananas, figs, and watermelon. Low-sugar fruits include avocados, guava, raspberries, cantaloupe, papayas, and strawberries.Which Has More Sugar?
Trying to eat less sugar? Find out where it may be hiding in your diet.Does Natural Sugar Count Toward Daily Intake?
As per World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, natural sugar does not count toward the daily intake because fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and there are no reported negative health effects associated with natural sugar in produce.13 Ways to Stop Sugar Cravings Fast
The root causes of sugar cravings are most often lifestyle-related. You stop sugar cravings by making lifestyle-related changes, so there's usually no quick and easy way to reduce them.How Do You Bring Blood Sugar Down Quickly?
The medical term for high blood sugar is hyperglycemia. If you have diabetes, exercise, extra fluids, and insulin are easy ways to lower blood sugar levels naturally.stevia
Stevia is a natural sweetener extracted from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana plant. Stevia is used as a zero-calorie alternative to sugar and it is used to reduce blood sugar levels and blood pressure, and aid weight loss, however, there aren’t enough scientific studies to support many of these uses. Common side effects of stevia include nausea, bloating, dizziness, numbness, and allergic reaction. Avoid using stevia if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.Sugar Quiz
Sugar lurks in surprising places. Take the Sugar Quiz to learn of the many ways sugar sneaks into your diet and see what you know about sugar and artificial sweeteners!Hidden Sugar in Food
Hidden sugar sources in health food are everywhere, from breakfast cereals to smoothies. Even “no-sugar-added” foods may have sneaky sugar sources like fruit juice. If you want to follow a sugar-free diet, if you have diabetes or if you want to lose weight, use these tips to avoid sugar in your snacks and meals.What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Too Much Sugar?
When you eat too much sugar you increase your risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart issues, some cancers, and damage to the liver.