Inside the Sugar Industry

Inside the Sugar Industry — page 1

Inside the Sugar Industry — page 2 — 1 FUELED BY SUGAR People often think of sugar as a quick source of energy in food It is a commonly added ingredient to candy sodas and other snacks making them taste sweeter But in Brazil sugar plays a more critical role The nation produces fuel made from sugarcane by the billions of gallons This fuel powers the majority of Brazil’s cars Along with domestic oil production sugarcane has helped Brazil become energy independent In addition to energy independence Brazil’s sugar-powered fuel has another benefit It is better for the environment When the fuel is burned it releases carbon dioxide and other exhaust gases just as gasoline does The difference is that as the sugarcane grew it steadily absorbed carbon dioxide from the air The result is a carbon neutral fuel unlike with fossil fuels burning it did not lead to an overall increase in the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere This has important implications for global climate change More than a simple snack additive sugar can have surprisingly wide-ranging effects Vast fields of sugarcane provide Brazil with enormous quantities of fuel 5

Inside the Sugar Industry — page 3 — Ethanol Fuels blended with ethanol are widely available at gas stations 6

Inside the Sugar Industry — page 4 — ETHANOL Ethanol is a fuel that can be produced from many plants including sugarcane To make ethanol the plant material is grown and collected Chemical processes turn it into ethanol a clear colorless liquid that can be used as a fuel Ethanol contains less energy per gallon than gasoline does However when ethanol is mixed with regular gasoline the ethanol helps the fuel burn evenly which keeps the engine running smoothly Unlike the gasoline that comes from fossil fuels ethanol is renewable The world will never run out of ethanol so long as people keep growing the plants used to make it In the United States corn is the primary source of ethanol In some other countries such as Brazil sugarcane is the primary source Sugarcane is an ideal source of ethanol because it is so cheap and Energy Booster Sugar is a carbohydrate Carbohydrates are the most important sources of energy for the body However sugar provides only a brief energy boost Studies have shown that though eating sugar briefly increases energy tiredness increases approximately an hour later In contrast walking rather than eating sugar created a longer period of energy afterward A balance of proteins fats and more complex carbohydrates from whole grains may do more to maintain energy than sugar alone Medical professionals also recommend small meals or snacks every few hours to maintain a steady energy supply efficient to produce When sugarcane is made into ethanol the sugar is fermented Extra water is removed and the material is purified Sugar ferments easily so it can be turned into ethanol easily In contrast the starch in corn must be converted into a sugar before it can be fermented This 7

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