This myth is wrong
The belief that brown sugar is healthier than white sugar persists. In fact, the differences between the two types of sugar are small, both in terms of nutrients and health effects.
Brown sugar is obtained from the same source as white sugar - the sugar cane or sugar beet plant. The main difference lies in the processing. Brown sugar contains molasses, which gives it its color and a slightly special taste [5,7]. This molasses does provide some additional minerals such as potassium, calcium, iron and magnesium, but the amounts are so small that they hardly have any significant effect on health [3,5,7].
The difference in calories between brown and white sugar is negligible. Brown sugar contains 380 calories per 100 grams, while white sugar contains 385 calories per 100 grams. So the minimal amount of added nutrients in brown sugar is not enough to make it a healthier choice, especially since sugar is not a nutrient-dense food [5,7].
Consuming too much sugar, whether brown or white, can lead to a number of health problems [6]. These include acne [1], weight gain [4], tooth decay [7] and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes [2] and cardiovascular disease [8].
The myth that brown sugar is healthier than white sugar is therefore false. The differences in terms of nutrients and calories are minimal and have no significant health benefits. The main differences between the two types of sugar are taste and color. So for a healthier diet, it's more important to reduce your overall sugar intake rather than focusing on the color of the sugar.