Studio shot of sugar cubes in bowl

Asset ID: 119707270 / Tetra Images / Studio shot of sugar cubes in bowl Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates , mainly sucrose , lactose , and fructose , characterized by a sweet flavor . Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet . It and the other sugars are present in natural and refined forms in many foods, and the refined forms are also added to many food preparations. The world produced about 168 million tonnes of sugar in 2011. The world consumed an average of 24 kilograms of sugar for every human being of all ages, equivalent to over 260 food calories per day per human being. In food , "sugars" refer to all monosaccharides and disaccharides present in food, but excludes polyols , while in its singular form, "sugar" normally refers to sucrose. The other sugars are usually known by more specific names — glucose , fructose or fruit sugar, high fructose corn syrup , etc. Sugar production and trade has influenced human history in many ways. In modern times, sugar influenced the formation of colonies, perpetuation of slavery, transition to indentured labor, migration and abuse of people, wars between 19th century sugar trade controlling nations, ethnic composition and political structure of the new world. This page is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, anyone associated with the topic.