Invert Sugar: What Is It And What Is It Used For?

One of the many sweeteners you find in industrial products is invert sugar. It stands out for its sweetening properties. For this reason, we will tell you what this product is and how to get the most out of it.

Eating too much invert sugar is not healthy. You should therefore take it sporadically, as it generates harmful insulin peaks. It’s okay to include products that contain it from time to time in your diet. However, you should avoid taking it regularly.

How is invert sugar made?

To make invert sugar, you must expose table sugar to a chemical reaction called hydrolysis. This process breaks down sucrose to form a mixture of glucose and fructose.

This mechanism can occur spontaneously, for example when making jam. Adding lemon to the fruit and sugar causes this decomposition that produces this product. It is even possible to find it in nature, for example in maple syrup.

You can also make invert sugar at home. For this you need carburizing substances that are common in baking. These substances are produced from baking soda and tartaric acid.

You need to mix baking soda with table sugar and heat the mixture with water until it boils. Then mix in tartaric acid and cool the mixture to obtain invert sugar.

What invert sugar is used for

Invert sugar is used in industrial products to improve their taste. This fabric also allows you to vary other organoleptic properties, such as texture. As it plays a role in the fermentation process, it is often included in bakery products, along with leavening agents.

On the other hand, invert sugar is often added to the products so that they do not dry out or become rancid too quickly. Thus, it helps to increase the service life.

It fulfills an essential function in ice cream. This ingredient is able to prevent the formation of large ice crystals, which improves the texture of ice cream and facilitates its formation.

You should not take it regularly

Despite its ability to enhance the taste of food, do not forget that invert sugar is also a simple carbohydrate. According to research published in Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences  , regular intake of these macronutrients is associated with an increased risk of metabolic diseases.

In addition, eating fructose-rich foods can trigger liver disease. There is scientific evidence to suggest that ingestion of this drug increases the risk of developing fatty liver.

On the other hand, according to experts, sugar can cause some dependence. Thus, experts advise against regularly including some of the variants in your diet. Yes, you can enjoy yourself from time to time. You do not have to cut it out completely or forever.

Alternatives to invert sugar

To satisfy your craving for sweets, it is best to resort to foods that contain a certain amount of fructose, but accompanied by other high-quality nutrients.

Here we refer to fruits, and you can include them in your diet in many different ways. The most advisable thing is to eat them as they are. However, you can occasionally mash them and consume them in the form of porridge or puree. You can also mix them with other ingredients to make healthy baked goods.

In this way, you reduce the strain and stress in the pancreas associated with eating table sugar as such. In addition, you give your body phytonutrients, which have antioxidant properties. This is also a great way to give your body vitamins, as they are essential for proper cell function.

A powerful sweetener

As you have seen, invert sugar is an ingredient derived from table sugar. Its uses are limited to the preparation of industrial products.

One of the main characteristics is its ability to improve the taste and texture of food. However, it has a low nutritional value, as it only produces carbohydrates with a high glycemic index. The intake of these nutrients can affect health in the medium and long term.

This does not mean that you can not ingest invert sugar from time to time. In fact, you can make it at home and add it to confectionery to make them more flavorful and enhance the texture.

However, if you have a craving for sweets , we recommend prioritizing the intake of fruit before resorting to table sugar or any of its derivatives.