262 Names for Sugar: The Complete Reference Guide
This reference guide provides a comprehensive overview of the many names for sugar that appear on food labels. By understanding these names, you can make more informed choices about the foods you consume and avoid hidden sugars that can have significant health impacts.
Why Hidden Sugar Matters
Consuming too much added sugar is linked to numerous health problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, inflammation, and fatty liver disease. Food manufacturers often use alternative names for sugar to hide the true amount of sweeteners in their products. Being able to identify these names is the first step toward reducing your sugar intake.
The sweet truth about sugar is that it appears in places you would never expect — from pasta sauces and salad dressings to protein bars and “healthy” snacks.
Common Sugars
Brown Sugar, Cane Sugar, Coconut Sugar, Confectioner’s Sugar, Granulated Sugar, Invert Sugar, Raw Sugar, White Sugar, Sucrose, Powdered Sugar
Syrups
Barley Malt Syrup, Beet Syrup, Brown Rice Syrup, Cane Juice Syrup, Carob Syrup, Corn Syrup, Corn Syrup Solids, Date Syrup, Golden Syrup, High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), Honey, Maple Syrup, Molasses, Oat Syrup, Rice Syrup, Sorghum Syrup, Tapioca Syrup, Treacle, Yacon Syrup, Agave Syrup (or Agave Nectar)
Fructose-Based Sugars
Fructose, Crystalline Fructose, Fruit Juice, Fruit Juice Concentrate, Fruit Puree, High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), Honey, Inulin, Levulose
Fructose-based sweeteners are particularly concerning because they are metabolized differently than glucose — primarily in the liver — and excess consumption is strongly linked to fatty liver disease and insulin resistance.
Glucose-Based Sugars
Glucose, Glucose Solids, Dextrose, Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Maltodextrin, Corn Sugar, Grape Sugar, Grape Juice Concentrate
Glucose-based sugars raise blood sugar more rapidly than other types, making them especially important to monitor for those with diabetes or insulin sensitivity.
Sucrose-Based Sugars
Sucrose, Table Sugar, Cane Sugar, Beet Sugar
Sucrose is half glucose and half fructose. This combination makes it particularly effective at spiking both blood sugar and triggering the liver’s fat-storing pathways.
Lactose-Based Sugars
Lactose, Dairy Sugars, Milk Sugar, Whey Solids
Maltose-Based Sugars
Maltose, Maltodextrin, Malt Syrup, Malt, Barley Malt, Rice Malt
Other Plant-Based Sugars
Agave Nectar, Date Sugar, Coconut Palm Sugar, Palm Sugar, Evaporated Cane Juice, Panela, Rapadura
Don’t be fooled by “natural” sweeteners like agave nectar or coconut sugar. While they may have slightly different nutrient profiles, they still contribute to your total sugar intake and have similar metabolic effects.
Sugar Alcohols
Erythritol, Sorbitol, Mannitol, Xylitol, Isomalt, Lactitol, Maltitol
Sugar alcohols are lower in calories than regular sugar and have a minimal effect on blood sugar, making them popular in keto and low-carb products. However, some people experience digestive discomfort when consuming them in large amounts.
Deceptive or Less Common Names
Evaporated Cane Juice, Fruit Juice Crystals, Turbinado, Cane Crystals, Glucose Solids, Dextrin, Ethyl Maltol, Florida Crystals, Diastatic Malt, Barley Malt, Caramel, Diatase, D-ribose, Refiner’s Syrup, Panocha, Treacle, Muscovado, Palm Syrup, Golden Sugar, Yellow Sugar
How to Use This Guide
When shopping, check ingredient lists for any of these names. The earlier they appear in the ingredient list, the more sugar the product contains. A good rule of thumb: if a product has more than 10 grams of added sugar per serving, or if sugar appears in the first three ingredients, it’s best to consume it sparingly.
Remember: the sweet truth is that reducing added sugar is one of the most impactful changes you can make for your long-term health.