Misconceptions That Kill #13: Is Brown Sugar Healthier than White Sugar?

At first glance of the title you may be wondering how brown versus white sugar is a deadly misconception.  It's not immediately deadly but can lead to health problems that result in one's death later in life.  There is a misconception that brown sugar is healthier for you than white sugar.  Unfortunately that is not the case.  The misconception argues that brown sugar is more natural than white sugar because white sugar is refined.  Brown sugar contains molasses and this is refined out to make white sugar. 

Brown sugar.

The harm comes when people replace white sugar with brown sugar under the misconception that it is healthier than white sugar.  This in turn can lead people to consume more sugar than they should.  Increased sugar consumption can lead to serious health effects, such as diabetes, which can then cause enough health problems leading to someone dying earlier than they would.  It's not a situation of choosing brown over white sugar.  It's a situation in which ANY sugar consumption should be limited.  Thinking brown sugar is healthier is a misconception that can lead to higher sugar consumption.