Mochi Dough Ingredients: Sugar

Sugar is a carbohydrate that occurs naturally in plants like sugarcane and sugar beets. It is processed into a white crystalline substance used widely in cooking and baking. Sugar provides sweetness and energy.

Manufacturers add sugar primarily as a sweetener to enhance the taste of foods and beverages. It also contributes to texture, browning, and acts as a preservative in some products. Sugar is a key ingredient in baked goods, candies, desserts, and many processed foods.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognizes sugar as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for its intended use as a sweetener. High intake of added sugars is linked by health organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) to increased risk of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has evaluated sugar and established acceptable daily intakes. Evidence suggests a strong association between high sugar consumption and negative health outcomes, though individual responses can vary.