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sugar

sugar

Sweeteners

Trigger checker for sugar

FODMAP rating
Medium FODMAP

See sugar rated across every trigger — FODMAP, histamine, salicylate, oxalate, tyramine and more — plus diet compatibility, all in one quick ingredient profile.

Sensitivities

What sugar contains

FODMAPs

FODMAPsLow
FructansSafe
GOSSafe
FructoseSafe
PolyolsSafe
LactoseSafe

Histamine & Amines

HistamineSafe
Histamine LiberatorsSafe
TyramineSafe

Plant compounds

Salicylates
OxalatesSafe
LectinAvoid
NightshadesSafe

Irritants

CaffeineSafe
AlcoholSafe
Spicy FoodsSafe
Acidic FoodsSafe

Additives

SulfitesSafe
NitritesSafe
GlutamatesSafe

Allergens

Dairy ProteinsSafe
GlutenSafe
EggSafe
PeanutSafe
Tree NutsSafe
SoySafe
FishSafe
CrustaceansSafe
MolluscsSafe
SesameSafe
CelerySafe
MustardSafe
LupinSafe
Alpha-galSafe
NickelSafe

Diet fit

Where sugar fits

Therapeutic diets

Low HistamineFit
Low SalicylateFit
Low FermentationSafe
EoE CompatibleFit
AIPAvoid
InflammationAvoid
Reflux DietFit
Specific CarbohydrateAvoid
Low FibreFit
Gastroparesis DietFit

Lifestyle diets

VeganFit
VegetarianFit
PescatarianFit
MediterraneanCheck
DASH DietCheck
PaleoAvoid
Whole30Avoid
KetoAvoid
Low-carbAvoid

Religious diets

HalalFit
KosherFit
Hindu (no beef)Fit
JainFit
Buddhist VegetarianFit
Orthodox FastingFit
Ingredient notes

What to know about sugar

Table sugar is sucrose, half glucose and half fructose. On its own it is clean on histamine, gluten, oxalate and the other sensitivity triggers, which is why plain sugar is rarely the culprit behind a reaction. Two honest caveats remain: it climbs to a moderate FODMAP load in larger servings because of the fructose half, and as a refined sugar it is pro-inflammatory. The fructose point is the key one: a small spoonful is fine, but a lot of sugar delivers enough free fructose to bother a fructose-sensitive gut.

Watch for

  • Moderate FODMAP by volume: small amounts are low FODMAP, but a large dose of sucrose releases enough free fructose to trigger fructose malabsorption symptoms
  • Pro-inflammatory as a refined carbohydrate, so heavy intake works against an anti-inflammatory diet even though it is not a chemical trigger
  • Pure glucose (dextrose) does not carry the fructose half, so it stays low FODMAP where table sugar rises with the serving size

FAQ

What does the FODMAP rating mean for sugar?

Medium FODMAP: portion size matters more than the ingredient itself.

Is sugar generally well tolerated?

Lectin (Avoid) and FODMAPs (Low) Start with those if you react.

What should I check next?

Compare within the Sweeteners group.