How is invert sugar made?
Table sugar (sucrose) is one glucose and one fructose molecule joined together. Heating it in water with a little acid, or adding an enzyme called invertase, breaks that bond. US regulations describe invert sugar as a solution of fully or partly inverted sucrose, made exactly this way.
Partly inverted syrups are common too. Golden syrup, for example, is sucrose that has been partly split into glucose and fructose.
Is invert sugar bad for you?
It’s no better or worse than table sugar. It contains the same glucose and fructose, just already separated, and it counts as added sugar on labels and as free sugar under the WHO’s guideline. The only real difference is in the kitchen: it keeps food moist and smooth.
Invert sugar compared with table sugar and honey
| Property | Invert sugar | Table sugar | Honey |
|---|---|---|---|
| Made from | Table sugar | Cane or beet | Bees, from nectar |
| Sugars | Glucose and fructose, separate | Glucose and fructose, joined | Mostly fructose and glucose |
| Form | Syrup | Crystals | Syrup |
| Counted as added or free sugar | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Where invert sugar hides
Foods to check
- Sweets
- Fondant
- Baked goods
- Ice cream
- Cereal bars
- Soft drinks
- Jams
- Chewy biscuits
Names on the label
- invert sugar
- invert sugar syrup
- inverted sugar syrup
- invert syrup
More sugars to know
Common questions
Is invert sugar the same as high fructose corn syrup?
No, but they’re similar. Both are mixes of glucose and fructose. Invert sugar is made from table sugar; high fructose corn syrup is made from corn starch.
Is invert sugar natural?
It’s made from ordinary sugar with a simple chemical step. Honey is a natural mix of the same sugars, and both count as added or free sugar.
Why do sweets and ice cream use invert sugar?
It holds on to water and stops sugar crystals forming, so fondant stays smooth, cakes stay moist and ice cream stays soft.
What does invert sugar look like on a label?
Look for invert sugar, invert sugar syrup, inverted sugar syrup or invert syrup. Golden syrup is partly inverted too.
Does invert sugar count on a no sugar challenge?
Yes. It’s table sugar in another form, so it counts gram for gram.
Spot it in one scan
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Sources
- U.S. Code of Federal Regulations — 21 CFR 184.1859 Invert sugar
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration — Added sugars on the Nutrition Facts label
- World Health Organization — Guideline: Sugars intake for adults and children (2015)
This guide is for general information and isn’t medical advice.