Thermal degradation characteristics of sucrose was investigated. A 20% sucrose solution was heated to temperatures of $110-150^{circ}C$ for 1-5 hr. Chromaticity, pH, organic acids, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), free sugars, electron donating ability (EDA), and ascorbic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity (AEAC) of the heated sucrose solutions were evaluated. With increasing temperatures and times, the L-, a-, and b-values decreased; however, total color difference (${Delta}E_{ab}$) increased. The pH and sucrose contents decreased, and fructose and glucose contents increased with increasing heating temperature and time. Organic acids, such as formic acid, lactic acid, and levulinic acid, and HMF contents increased with increasing heating temperatures and times. EDA (%) and the AEAC of the heated sucrose solutions increased with increasing heating temperature and time. The heated sucrose solution was more effective than unheated sucrose solution, having higher EDA (90 fold), and AEAC (13 fold).