March 26, 2026
Not all sugars are the same and understanding the difference could make a significant impact on overall health, according to one registered dietitian.
In an interview with CTV Your Morning on Wednesday, Nishta Saxena said sugars broadly fall into two categories: those that occur naturally in whole foods, and those that are added during processing.
While both provide energy, their effects on the body, and their place in a healthy diet, are not the same.
What are ‘intact’ sugars?
Saxena describes intact sugars as those naturally found in foods such as fruits, vegetables, plain dairy products, grains, beans and legumes.
“They’re growing in the ground or on a tree, and they have naturally occurring sugars that will break down in our body.”