About Sugar

The desire for sweet tastes is among humanity's most basic desires. Sweetness is associated with positive things. In poetry as well as in daily speech, “sweet” is an expression of delight, enjoyment, and experiencing something special. We talk of “sweet pleasures” or “sweet agony”, and sing of the “sweet ringing of bells” at Christmas time. “Sweetheart” and “sweetie” are popular terms of endearment.

Every green plant forms sugar through photosynthesis. Using the energy from sunlight, plants convert the carbon dioxide from air and water from the soil into sugar and use it for growth. Some plants, like sugar beet and sugar cane, can store sugar as an energy reserve and thus provide us with sugar directly from nature.

Sugar is an important energy source for humans. As a readily available carbohydrate, it boosts performance in physical work or sporting activities. Sugar increases our ability to concentrate and, as studies have shown, improves our subjective mood when under stress or psychological strain.