Is maple syrup healthy for you? The answer will probably surprise you!
Pure maple syrup, the sap derived from sugar maple, red maple, and black maple trees, is one of the most natural and least refined forms of sugar. Unfortunately, many people are mislead by corporations marketing their “natural” maple syrups, which are actually just highly-processed syrups stripped away of most, if not all, of their nutritional value, and mixed with nasties like sugar and high-fructose corn syrup.
So, is maple syrup healthy? In it’s pure form, yes. This is why I emphasize the word pure. When you choose 100% pure maple syrup, you are simply getting the concentrated maple sap — which has some pretty sweet benefits.
So, if you’re looking for ways to make your holiday baking healthier, consider making pure maple syrup your go-to sweetener.
Here’s seven reasons why you should incorporate pure maple syrup into your diet:
1. It’s disease-preventing. According to a study conducted by The University of Rhode Island, maple syrup’s polyphenols, a plant-based antioxidant, may help prevent inflammatory diseases, as well as Alzheimer’s and cancer!
2. It’s anti-aging. Maple syrup’s rich antioxidant content fights free radicals, which protects the skin from aging and promotes a young, healthy glow!
3. It’s immune system-boosting. Maple syrup is dense in minerals, especially manganese and zinc, which are both shown to strengthen the immune system. Maple syrup is the perfect sweetener to add to warm lemon-water or teas to fight off that seasonal flu!
4. It promotes healthy blood sugar levels. Maple syrup, unlike most sweeteners, contains certain antioxidants which actually help stabilize blood sugar levels; this is why maple syrup is considered a better sugar-substitute among diabetics.
5. It’s rich in B-vitamins. Maple syrup contains thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and B6, which are essential vitamins for healthy heart and cognitive functions, including memory.
6. It promotes reproductive health. As mentioned before, maple syrup is rich in zinc, which promotes a healthy prostate in men, as well as egg fertilization in women. Zinc in maple syrup also helps stabilize imbalanced hormonal levels.
7. It aids in muscle repair. Maple syrup’s mineral compounds help rebuild damaged cells and muscles which make it a great sweetener to incorporate into those post-workout snacks!
*Note: I, by no means, am saying you should eat tons of maple syrup (so, please, do not pour tons of maple syrup into your snacks or desserts)! I am simply encouraging you to incorporate it into your diet in moderation, as it should not be forgotten that maple syrup is still a form of sugar.*
