Whiskey Glaze: Sugar

Sugar, commonly known as sucrose, is a sweet-tasting carbohydrate found naturally in many plants. It is primarily extracted from sugarcane or sugar beets through a process of crushing, juicing, purification, and crystallization.

Manufacturers add sugar to foods primarily as a sweetener to enhance flavor. It also functions as a preservative in jams and jellies, contributes to texture and browning in baked goods, and provides bulk in various products. It is widely used in beverages, desserts, candies, and processed foods.

Sugar is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. It provides energy, but excessive intake is linked to dental caries and can contribute to chronic health issues like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend no amount of added sugars and suggest limiting intake to at most 10 grams per meal. JECFA and EFSA have evaluated sugars as macronutrients and sources of energy in the diet, noting their role in overall energy balance. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises reducing intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake.