Maple Syrup. Others like Nutrisweet, Truvia and a number of brands from the stevia plant claim to be better, but there’s little data to support any claims. Wouldn’t it be sweet if you could eat sugar without worrying about health consequences? Sourced straight from trees, it’s minimally processed and packed with even more minerals and antioxidants than honey, including manganese, riboflavin, zinc and magnesium. It has been touted for it natural antiseptic properties, and ability to alleviate allergy symptoms. Moreover, date syrup is packed with nutrients like magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. Coconut Palm Sugar. Too rich for water kefir and can damage water kefir grains. Maple syrup is a less bad version of sugar, much like coconut sugar. Over the next few weeks, we will be digging into the what and why of real maple vs. cane sugar, brown sugar, coconut sugar, honey, and agave - and calling it "The Sugar Wars." Beyond providing nothing but empty calories, refined sugar is highly addictive, causes blood sugar levels to spike, interferes with nutrient absorption, and even has been linked to contributing to heart disease, weight gain and other degenerative disease. The Sugar Wars: Maple Syrup vs. Coconut Sugar. esearchers have also recently discovered that maple syrup is a source of phenolics, a class of antioxidants that are found in berries.". Maple syrup for sugar. Maple Sugar or Syrup. It also has an antioxidant level that’s the same as maca or raspberries, making it the most nutritionally dense sweetener out there. Maple syrup Maple syrup may be healthier than coconut sugar. Coconut nectar is similar in texture to maple syrup and can be used for baking and … The upside is that it contains inulin fiber, which has been shown to help slow the absorption of glucose to keep blood-sugar levels balanced. Maple syrup is defined as having a "medium" index. Whether you’re looking for sugar substitutes for baking, cooking or to sweeten your morning coffee, here’s a list of the best natural sweeteners you can use and why. Sucralose (better known by its brand name Splenda) is the worst offender. Coconut sugar is caramel colored with a taste that is similar to that of maple syrup or brown sugar. In a head to head on calorie content, 1 teaspoon of coconut sugar has about 15 calories while 1 teaspoon of maple syrup contains 52 calories. The by-product of refined white sugar, blackstrap molasses is the darkest grade and processed three times to remove as much sucrose as possible. This sweet treat actually offers key health benefits when consumed in, you guessed it, moderation. While the actual science is still out on the safety of aspartame and saccharin, there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence that shows this stuff just isn’t that good for you. The only catch is that you must be cautious when buying maple syrup that the label says “100% maple syrup”—otherwise you’re likely getting corn syrup with “maple flavoring” (whatever that means). For example, brown sugar has GI of 64 and maple syrup with 54. Studies of maple syrup extracts don’t consider the impact of maple syrup on insulin and blood sugar. Moreover, date syrup is packed with nutrients like magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. However, coconut nectar syrup ranks lower on the GI scale than maple syrup, making coconut nectar a potentially healthy option if you have sugar-related conditions such as diabetes. Use small amounts only in combination with cane sugar. In addition to sugar, honey has amino acids, electrolytes and a bounty of antioxidants. Sucrose (which is what cane sugar is) and glucose are what cause insulin levels to spike, whereas fructose does not. lower in fructose than most sweeteners. * Comments must be approved before being displayed. There are currently no products in this collection. The recommended quantity of fructose per day should not exceed 50 grams. Honey: The main difference between honey and the other sweeteners is that it’s composed primarily of monosaccharides . Xylitol is a sugar alcohol. Sprinkle the coconut sugar over the tops. What are they? The fruit must be facing up so that you can spread the syrup over the flesh. When replacing Coconut Sugar with Real Maple Syrup the replacement is a simple 1:1 ratio. To Use in Baking: For 1 cup sugar use: ¾ cup corn syrup, reduce liquid by 2 Tbsp. However it’s still pretty processed and not as nutrient-dense as the others. by … 5) Blackstrap MolassesRich in iron, potassium and calcium, blackstrap molasses is another one that’s nutritionally superior to many other sweeteners. Before the coconuts form, their thick flowering stems are tapped similar to how maple syrup is made. Sourced straight from trees, it’s minimally processed and packed with even more minerals and antioxidants than honey, including manganese, riboflavin, zinc and magnesium. Fruits from the date palm tree. Compare Coconut milk to Sugar by vitamins and minerals using the only readable nutrition comparison tool. You'll also find the B vitamin inositol, often used as a mood booster, in coconut sugar. Experts tell us why using agave, coconut sugar, raw honey, maple syrup, or any other sweetener with a health halo is not going to make you any healthier. You just have to choose the right sugar. Health Benefits Glycemic Index The glycemic index defines foods by how quickly it causes your blood sugar to rise. It has been marketed as a healthier alternative, but it’s really no better than the worst offenders. Coconut palm trees and the ensuing sap extracted from its stems are packed with nutritious minerals including iron, potassium, zinc, magnesium, and more than a dozen amino acids. A funnel is connected to these holes to slowly collect the sap. The potassium in date syrup actually helps your body slowly absorb and regulate sugar in the bloodstream. While the actual science is still out on the safety of aspartame and saccharin, there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence that shows this stuff just isn’t that good for you. Artificial SweetenersArtificial  and low-calorie sweeteners, such as aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, and neotame are considered the worst of the worst in the realm of alternative sweeteners. It has a low glycemic index (around 35) and is very tasty. These minerals do great work for your body including things like cell formation, maintaining healthy red blood cells, and immune support. Date syrup is not just sugar — it’s actually a food made from a fruit. However it’s still pretty processed and not as nutrient-dense as the others. One tablespoon has more iron than a 3-ounce serving of steak—more than 10 percent of the daily recommended intake. In addition to sugar, honey has amino acids, electrolytes and a bounty of antioxidants. They also score low on the glycemic index. Sugars naturally rank higher on the glycemic index, however, maple syrup is clearly the better option as it has a lower glycemic index than cane sugar. Dates. To turn it into a powdered sweetener, the manufacturing process entails heating the sap until all of the water has evaporated. There are alternatives to the processed regular sugar that provide some surprising benefits. Coconut sugar is caramel colored with a taste that is similar to that of maple syrup or brown sugar. However, too much fructose can be challenging for the liver to metabolize. While honey does contain higher fructose levels, it’s relatively low on the glycemic index, making it one of the best sugar substitutes of the bunch. Maple syrup can have a complex flavor with notes of vanilla, cinnamon and even hazelnut. Date syrup is low … Regular table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup don’t contain any vital nutrients and therefore supply “empty” calories.. The by-product of refined white sugar, blackstrap molasses is the darkest grade and processed three times to remove as much sucrose as possible. PS. Coconut Sugar's flavor profile is similar to Maple Syrup's and the glycemic index and calorie content are lower than Maple's. 3) Maple SyrupReal maple syrup has all the markers of a better sugar alternative, including a low glycemic index score and a low fructose content. Which food contains less Sodium? “Healthy for you, harmless for the tree,” quotes Drink Maple. Add cinnamon if desired. Here’s the deal: processed sugars can be toxic to the body. for each cup replaced and lower oven temperature by 25°F. 4) Coconut SugarBoasting high amounts of potassium and electrolytes, coconut sugar, which comes from blossoms of the coconut tree, is the best replacement for white sugar in recipes, since it behaves similarly. Sugar contains less Sodium (difference - 14mg) The flower of the coconut palm is cut and the liquid sap is collected. All of the best sugars score lower on the glycemic index than table sugar, which means they won’t cause your insulin levels to spike. One tablespoon has more iron than a 3-ounce serving of steak—more than 10 percent of the daily recommended intake. Therefore, coconut sugar … Not to talk smack, but agave is higher in fructose than high fructose corn syrup. Popular with the community trying to reduce their fructose as it is made up of … The sap is taken from a tapped maple tree and then boiled into a concentrated syrup. While honey does contain higher fructose levels, it’s relatively low on the glycemic index, making it one of the best sugar substitutes of the bunch. Honey. What is coconut sugar? Coconut sugar also provides small amounts of phytonutrients, such as polyphenols, flavonoids and anthocyanidin, and antioxidants. Maple syrup is about as sweet as sugar, so you can replace it using an equal amount of syrup (e.g., for 1 cup of sugar, use 1 cup of maple syrup). The only catch is that you must be cautious when buying maple syrup that the label says “100% maple syrup”—otherwise you’re likely getting corn syrup with “maple flavoring” (whatever that means). However, Maple Syrup's health benefits and refinement process naturally crown Maple the winner in this head to head! Coconut sugar comes from a natural source, the sap of the coconut palm. The upside is that it contains inulin fiber, which has been shown to help slow the absorption of glucose to keep blood-sugar levels balanced. Real Maple Syrup also contains high amounts of calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper, and manganese. Want exclusive nutrition tips and recipes? This sap circulates through the tree in a similar way to maple syrup. Disclaimer: We are not encouraging you, the consumer, to put more sugar in your diet. This stuff simply filters right into your bloodstream and goes wild. Here’s a fun fact for your next game of trivia: coconut sugar doesn’t actually come from the coconut itself, but rather the sap from part of the palm. Sugars naturally rank hi… But there’s no need to live a sugar celibate life. Real Maple Syrup is a straight-from-nature product that has a rather simple process flow. Maple syrup has caramel notes along with the woodsy maple flavor that you might expect from a maple syrup product. In terms of flavor, maple syrup is a logical alternative to coconut sugar, and for every … Real Maple Syrup is full of antioxidants that are anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-bacterial. Join our friendly newsletter. The sap is then boiled and dehydrated and coconut sugar is what's left. Date syrup is low on the glycemic index - we. Coconut sugar contains trace amounts of vitamin C, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron and copper. Real maple syrup has all the markers of a better sugar alternative, including a low glycemic index score and a low fructose content. Comparison summary. The potassium in date syrup actually helps your body slowly absorb and regulate sugar in the bloodstream. Rich in iron, potassium and calcium, blackstrap molasses is another one that’s nutritionally superior to many other sweeteners. Better sugars—including maple syrup, coconut sugar, and date syrup—score low on the glycemic index and have lower amounts of fructose. It has a good source of calcium, malic acid (helps muscle soreness and fatigue), polyphenols, antioxidants, electrolytes, manganese, and prebiotics. Maple syrup is simply the concentrated sap of the maple tree. A tablespoon of date syrup contains more than twice the potassium, calcium, and magnesium levels of maple syrup or honey, with up to 10 times the antioxidants. Want exclusive nutrition tips and recipes? While still sugar, these alternatives sweetners are much easier for the process and boast a range of other nutrients and health benefits. After this nectar is collected, it’s thickened up using partial evaporation to produce a syrup. To understand the difference between bad sugars and better sugars, first it’s important to note the difference between fructose, glucose, and sucrose. What’s bad … It’s also lower calorie than most sweeteners. Made from the sap of the sugar maple tree. Remove from heat and let cool completely. While agave gained notoriety for its low glycemic index, it ultimately was shown to have a higher fructose content than high-fructose corn syrup (about 70% to 90%). Rice Malt Syrup. Maple syrup can have a complex flavor with notes of vanilla, cinnamo Maple syrup can have a complex flavor with notes of vanilla, cinnamon and even hazelnut. Maple syrup contains protein, fat, water, as well as vitamins and minerals. The 7 Best Paleo Sweeteners and How to Use Them | PaleoPlan Whether you're seeking less of a sugar high and crash or just a chance to add new flavors to your desserts, sweeteners like molasses, maple syrup, honey, and coconut sugar are all … Sugar extracted and dried from coconut palm trees; very high mineral content. found that replacing sugar with honey could actually lower blood sugar levels and prevent weight gain or aid in weight loss. Our overall goal with this series is to arm you with the facts of why real maple syrup provides the best health benefits and taste to beat out the rest. And. Coconut sugar: Like table sugar and maple syrup, coconut sugar is mainly sucrose (around 70-80%), with a little free-floating glucose and fructose, too. That's it! You can use it immediately or store in the fridge in a … Instead, we are suggesting that when you do choose sugar, choose real maple, the best alternative. 1) Date SyrupDate syrup is not just sugar — it’s actually a food made from a fruit. An article published by Livestrong.com that describes Real Maple nutrition even explains that "Researchers have also recently discovered that maple syrup is a source of phenolics, a class of antioxidants that are found in berries.". Many people report headaches, stomach aches and a general ill feeling after eating artificial sweeteners. Fructose is what’s found in fruit (for the most part). It has been touted for it natural antiseptic properties, and ability to alleviate allergy symptoms. To understand the difference between coconut sugar vs. honey, we first need to understand the composition of bad sugars and better sugars. The problem is that your body can’t digest most sugar alcohols, so they travel to the large intestine where they are metabolized by gut bacteria. Honey is produced from flower nectar by industrious worker bees, and in the United States … It also has half the amount of sugar than coconut water (7g of natural sugar). Recipes, Updates, & Health News straight to your inbox, Date syrup is not just sugar — it’s actually a food made from a fruit. Xylitol. 2) Raw HoneyRaw honey, especially raw local honey, is much like dates in that it’s a real food—and also the nectar of the gods. Coconut Sugar has a glycemic index of 35, which puts it in the "low" index. While those are both great benefits, the verdict is still out over the side effects on your gut, as they have been found to cause digestive problems. The FDA does a pretty terrible job of regulating this industry, so it’s pretty hard to know if what you’re eating is safe. Sugar vs. coconut sugar. Coconut sugar, more accurately coconut palm sugar, is made in a two-step process as well. The glycemic index defines foods by how quickly it causes your blood sugar to rise. The biggest offenders are sorbitol and maltitol. Maple Water is packed with 46 different nutrients. It’s also lower calorie than most sweeteners. https://www.drweil.com/diet-nutrition/nutrition/is-coconut-sugar-a-healthier-sweetener/, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-sugar#section3, https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jj-virgin/coconut-sugar-healthier-s_b_5669084.html, https://www.livestrong.com/article/367337-what-are-the-benefits-of-coconut-sugar/. The flower of the coconut palm is cut and the liquid sap is collected. Refined sugar … In essence, what you’re looking for in a better sugar is both a low glycemic index, a fructose content that is not too high, and additional nutrients that cane sugar does not offer. Similar to how maple syrup is harvested, coconut sap is harvested by tapping the blossoms of the tree. It is made by making a small cut into the tree, collecting the sap into a bucket, and boiling the sap to evaporate the water. Date syrup is low on the glycemic index - we verified this when we ran a clinical study looking at that effect on blood sugar in real time, on human clinical subjects, resulting in a GI of 47 +/- 2. If you consume it, it’s best to do so in moderation — as with all sweeteners. Well, you can. 1 cup of coconut sugar; ½ cup maple syrup, or coconut honey; Method: Place a piece of parchment paper in the bottom of the airfryer. 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