Which Vitamin is Found in Sugar? An Overview of Nutrient Content

November 13, 2025 •

3 min read

Refined white sugar is notoriously known for its "empty calories," providing energy without any other significant nutritional benefits. When considering which vitamin is found in sugar, the simple answer is that processed table sugar contains virtually no vitamins at all. However, the nutrient profile changes slightly when looking at less-refined options or the plant source itself, like sugarcane.

Quick Summary

Processed white sugar lacks essential vitamins and minerals, offering only simple carbohydrates for energy. Less refined sugars, such as brown or raw sugar, contain minute, insignificant amounts of some vitamins and minerals retained from molasses. Consuming high amounts of sugar can negatively impact the body's vitamin and mineral stores.

Key Points

Refined Sugar Lacks Vitamins: The extensive refining process strips white sugar of virtually all its nutrients, leaving only empty calories.
Raw and Brown Sugar Offer Trace Nutrients: Less-processed sugars, like brown and raw, retain minute amounts of vitamins and minerals, but these levels are nutritionally insignificant.
Sugarcane Juice is the Most Nutritious Form: Unprocessed sugarcane juice contains various B vitamins and Vitamin C, along with several minerals.
Excess Sugar Can Deplete Vitamin Stores: Consuming too much refined sugar can increase the body's need for B vitamins and interfere with the absorption of other nutrients, potentially leading to deficiencies.
Prioritize Whole Food Sources: For essential vitamins and minerals, whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are far superior and more beneficial than any form of sugar.

Refined Sugar and Its Lack of Nutrients

Refined, or white table sugar, is a highly processed product derived from sugarcane or sugar beets. The refining process strips away all the molasses, which is where any trace nutrients would be found, leaving behind pure sucrose. This is why white sugar is primarily considered a source of empty calories—it provides a quick source of carbohydrates for energy but offers no essential vitamins or minerals. For example, nutritional data for granulated white sugar confirms that it contains zero amounts of Vitamin A, C, D, E, B6, B12, and negligible amounts of other nutrients.

The Processing of Refined Sugar

To understand why refined sugar lacks vitamins, it helps to examine the manufacturing process. Sugarcane or sugar beets are crushed to extract their juice. This juice is then treated with lime, heated, and filtered to remove impurities. Subsequent steps, including evaporation, crystallization, and centrifugation, separate the sugar crystals from the molasses. The final product is a pure, white sucrose crystal that is nutritionally stripped.

The Slight Difference in Raw and Brown Sugar

Raw and brown sugars are often perceived as healthier alternatives to white sugar, but the reality is more nuanced. While they do retain some molasses, and therefore some trace vitamins and minerals, the quantities are so small as to be nutritionally insignificant.


Nutrient Profile of Brown vs. White Sugar	Nutrient (per 100g)	Refined White Sugar	Brown Sugar	Significance for Health
Riboflavin (B2)	0.038 mg	0.007 mg	Minute amount, not a reliable source.
Niacin (B3)	0.000 mg	0.082 mg	Minimal contribution to daily needs.
Thiamine (B1)	0.000 mg	0.008 mg	Negligible quantity.
Folate (B9)	0.00 mcg	1 mcg	The amount is too small to have a meaningful impact.
Iron	0.1 mg	1.91 mg	The higher value in brown sugar is still not a significant source.
Calcium	2 mg	85 mg	Slightly higher in brown sugar but still minor.
Potassium	4 mg	346 mg	A more noticeable difference, but not a primary source.

As the table illustrates, while brown sugar technically contains more vitamins and minerals than refined white sugar, these amounts are not substantial enough to offer any real health benefit over white sugar. The core nutritional profile remains that of a concentrated source of simple carbohydrates.

Vitamins in Sugarcane Juice and Other Natural Sources

The most nutritionally relevant source of sugar comes directly from the plant itself, particularly sugarcane juice, before significant processing occurs. Fresh sugarcane juice contains a range of vitamins and minerals, alongside naturally occurring sugars. These include:

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
Vitamin B6
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Folic Acid (Vitamin B9)

These vitamins, along with minerals like iron and potassium, are what make fresh, unprocessed sugarcane juice a more nutritious option than its refined counterparts. However, it is crucial to remember that this liquid is still high in sugar and should be consumed in moderation.

How Excess Sugar Harms the Body's Vitamin Stores

Paradoxically, while refined sugar offers no vitamins itself, excessive consumption can actively deplete the body's existing vitamin and mineral stores. The body requires B vitamins, in particular, to metabolize sugar. A high sugar intake increases the demand for these vitamins, which can lead to deficiencies if not supported by a nutrient-rich diet.

Excessive sugar also negatively affects other vitamins. It can interfere with the body's ability to utilize and absorb Vitamin C, and can reduce the enzyme needed to create Vitamin D. Furthermore, sugary foods are often high in calories but low in other essential nutrients, displacing healthier, vitamin-rich food options from a person's diet. This is why high sugar consumption is linked to a range of health issues, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Conclusion: The Final Word on Sugar's Vitamin Content

Ultimately, the question of which vitamin is found in sugar depends entirely on the form of sugar being discussed. For refined white sugar, the answer is none. For raw and brown sugars, the answer is negligible, trace amounts that offer no real health benefit. The only nutritionally meaningful source is fresh, unprocessed sugarcane juice, which contains various B vitamins and Vitamin C. However, the best sources of these essential nutrients are always whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which provide a wide array of vitamins, minerals, and fiber without the detrimental health effects of excessive sugar consumption. For optimal health, it is best to limit added sugars and focus on a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods.

Learn more about the impact of excessive sugar on your health from resources like the American Heart Association.

Frequently Asked Questions

Natural sugars are found in whole foods like fruits and milk, which also contain fiber and other nutrients that slow digestion. Added sugars are sweeteners put into foods during processing or preparation and provide no nutritional benefit.

No, not in any meaningful way. Brown sugar contains a tiny amount of molasses, which gives it a slightly different nutritional profile with trace minerals. However, the difference is negligible, and both are considered sources of added sugar.

Yes. The body uses B vitamins to metabolize sugar. A diet high in sugar places a greater demand on these vitamins, and sugary foods often displace more nutrient-dense options, which can lead to deficiencies over time.

Refined sugar contains no vitamin C. Fresh sugarcane juice, the raw source of sugar, does contain some vitamin C, but this is lost during processing.

'Empty calories' refers to foods that provide calories, or energy, but have little to no nutritional value in terms of vitamins, minerals, or fiber. Refined sugar is a prime example.

Honey and maple syrup do contain some minerals and antioxidants, making them marginally better than refined sugar. However, they are still very high in sugar and should be consumed in moderation, not relied upon for significant nutrient intake.

The most effective method is to focus on a diet of whole, unprocessed foods. This includes swapping sugary beverages for water, choosing whole fruits over juices, and reading nutrition labels to identify added sugars in processed foods.