Although many people are of the opinion that brown sugar is a healthier option than white sugar, the truth is that they only have marginally different nutritional values. White sugar is actually 99.9% pure sucrose, while brown sugar is 97% sucrose, 2% water and 1% other substances. A teaspoon of white sugar contains 16 kilocalories, whereas one teaspoon of brown sugar has 17 kilocalories. The molasses in brown sugar contains a number of minerals, which include calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron, but since only very small amounts of these minerals are present in brown sugar, they do not bring any health benefit to the body. It is known that sugar has very little nutrients, and both white sugar and brown sugar do not do much to promote health."
Depending on what you are cooking/eating/drinking you could try using honey. Which also has some downsides but it is marginally healthier but barely.
I like it better only because I feel like a little goes a long way compared to how much sugar I use.
As far as the effects of sugar (including honey or any other type that is considered natural), to me they are all the same. Some is okay for me, some isn't. I do okay these days with a little of any kind of sugar but none of it is particularly good for me.
I've learned in certain recipes (obviously not all) that I can substitute sugar with natural things instead of sweeteners. I do understand some sweeteners are natural, but I'm just sayin. I've used honey in lieu of sugar in plenty of recipes and it's worked just fine.
I'd still rather not even eat sugar. But as far as taste goes, brown sugar wins in my books.
I like brown sugar better because I think it's a richer and more complex taste. Especially in oatmeal.
Sugar = sugar = honey = brown sugar = = agave = white sugar. I firmly believe that sugar is sugar is sugar, however we dress it up or slap labels on it.