Scientists sweeten Australian sugar industry

A new choice for healthwise sugar enthusiasts is on offer with the introduction of the world’s first low glycemic index (GI) sugar, LoGiCane.

The Australian product was developed by scientists Dr Barry Kitchen and Dr David Kannar from Melbourne-based company Horizon Science.

LoGiCane is indistinguishable from white sugar, yet has undergone a revolutionary refining process to retain the goodness found in cane, such as antioxidants.

Uniquely produced at the Mossman Central Mill in North Queensland, developers say the product will boost the sugar industry, and alleviate health problems.

Kitchen says LoGiCane has a low GI of 50, compared with white sugar which has a medium GI of 65.

He says low GI diets are linked to a reduction in blood glucose and insulin levels, and can assist in the reduction of obesity and diabetes.

Funding for LoGiCane included $5.4 million from the Australian Federal Government, grants from Queensland Government, and investments from Inventages LLC and BioPacific Ventures.

Minister for agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Tony Burke, has officially launched LoGiCane, and it is now available in supermarkets as part of CSR’s ‘Better for You’ range.

source: qbr.com.au