Melting Wafers: Sugar

Sugar is a simple carbohydrate, most commonly sucrose, extracted from sugarcane or sugar beets. It is a crystalline solid that dissolves in water. Sugar is a fundamental ingredient in many foods, providing sweetness and energy.

Sugar is primarily used as a sweetener in a vast array of food products, including baked goods, candies, beverages, and dairy products. It also contributes to texture, browning, and acts as a preservative in some applications. Manufacturers add it to enhance palatability and create desirable sensory characteristics.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes sugar as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for its intended use as a sweetener. Excessive consumption of added sugars is linked by health organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) to increased risk of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has evaluated sugar, but did not set a numeric acceptable daily intake (ADI). Evidence suggests high intake can negatively impact metabolic health.