5 surprising health benefits of natural maple syrup.
Natural Maple Syrup is one of nature’s best sweeteners. People often use it as a topping on pancakes and waffles, as a sweetener in healthy smoothies, and in cereals. Sugar maple trees produce the circulating fluid or sap that becomes Natural Maple Syrup. North Americans have enjoyed maple syrup for many centuries.
In today’s times, nearly 80% of the world’s natural maple syrup is made in the Canadian province of Quebec.
How is maple syrup made?
Maple syrup manufacturing has undergone few changes over the years.Manufacturers today produce maple syrup much the same way as they did hundreds of years ago. There are 2 principal steps in the making of natural maple syrup.
Drill a hole in the sugar maple tree to extract its sap into a container. Boil the sap to evaporate most of its water content, leaving behind a thick, sugary syrup. Then, filter the syrup to remove impurities.
Is maple syrup a truly healthier alternative to sugar?
Nutritionists and researchers agree that when compared to refined sugar, maple syrup is a healthier alternative. From being rich in certain nutrients that are key to boosting immunity, to being lower on the glycemic index, there are a plethora of reasons to switch your sweetener. In this article, we will look at the 5 surprising health benefits of natural maple syrup.
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It is packed full of antioxidants
Remarkably, Natural Maple Syrup boasts up to 24 antioxidants, along with other health-promoting compounds, contributing to overall well-being. Some of the antioxidants found in the amber-brown liquid include benzoic acid (vital for skin health), gallic acid (helps prevent gastrointestinal, neuropsychological, metabolic, and cardiovascular disorders), cinnamic acid (powerful antimicrobial properties). Apart from these antioxidants, natural maple syrup is chock-full of powerful flavanols like catechin (helps prevent cell damage), epicatechin (reduction of blood glucose levels in diabetic patients), rutin (prevents blood clots, lowers cholesterol), and quercetin (reduces inflammation and lowers cancer risk).
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It helps boost energy
Natural Maple Syrup is a wonderful source of energy and helps the body produce certain fatty acids, which are vital in helping boost energy reserves. Consuming about ¼ cup of maple syrup can deliver between 90 to 100 percent of the recommended dietary allowance for manganese, a trace mineral essential for energy production.
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It can help boost libido
In the best-selling book, “Healing foods: Eat your way to a healthier life”, the author Constance Novis posits that natural maple syrup is a wonderful source of zinc. This mineral plays an important role in men’s reproductive health and protects against prostate enlargement. Manganese, a pivotal component in maple syrup, significantly influences the production of sex hormones in both men and women.
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It is low on the glycemic index
The glycemic index of maple syrup is around 54. In comparison to refined white sugar, its glycemic index (GI) is significantly lower. Notably, a lower GI score indicates that the liver metabolizes it at a much slower pace than other sweeteners. This means that it does not spike one’s blood sugar levels, keeps one satiated for a longer time, and over time doesn’t cause lower insulin response.
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It can be used topically for skincare
You can apply specific varieties of honey directly to the skin to alleviate inflammation, redness, dryness, and blemishes. For bacterial irritations, combine it with raw milk, yogurt, rolled oats, and raw honey to create a soothing skin mask.
Natural Maple Syrup is a wonderful sweetener to have in your pantry. High quality, Canadian Maple Joe’s Natural Maple syrup is one of the best natural maple syrups in existence. Begin your exploration of this amazing ingredients with us at www.chenabgourmet.com
