Maple syrup can be a sweet treat enjoyed by people for its unique flavor. Commonly used as a topping for pancakes, french toast and waffles. It can also make your ice creams more delicious. Not just for breakfast and desserts, maple-flavored whisky and liquor are also becoming a favorite cocktail drink at parties.
For years, Maple syrup has been making your holidays sweet; this syrup comes with various benefits that you may not be aware of. Read on to find more about it.
The syrup is rich in antioxidants.
Maple syrup is rich in antioxidants. As many as 20 antioxidants are present, such as gallic acid, cinnamic acid and benzoic acid. It also contains flavonols quercetin rutin and cachetin.
This antioxidant-rich syrup helps fight free radicals, which can damage cells. These free radicals are responsible for chronic illness.
It helps in reducing inflammation.
Another essential health benefit of maple syrup is that it helps in reducing inflammation throughout the body. Inflamed tissues can cause various diseases such as heart issues and cancer. A decrease in inflammation can also reduce pain from arthritis.
The anti-inflammatory property of maple syrup can help reduce oxidative stress, which also helps prevent diseases.
Works well as a sugar substitute
Consuming large amounts of sugar can be harmful to your health. Maple sugar also belongs to the sugar family; however, it is better than consuming refined sugar. The liver can metabolize sugar by loading glucose into your bloodstream. This can impact insulin response, thus causing type 2 diabetes.
Maple syrup comes with a glycemic index of 54, whereas refined sugar comes with an index of 65. Maple syrup is more natural than sugar, so try different recipes with Canada maple syrup for the next holiday get-together.
Nutritional benefit
Maple syrup is not the same as eating vegetables; however, it comes with essential nutrients. This syrup comes with 33 percent manganese, calcium, zinc, magnesium, and potassium daily allowance.
Though this syrup can be compared to healthy food, it has better mineral benefits than sugar.
Here is the nutritional information about the maple syrup;
Carbs – there are around 216 calories and 55 grams of carbohydrates present in 1/4th cup serving of syrup. There is little starch present in it as well.
Fat – there is no fat present in the maple syrup.
Protein – maple syrup does not have any protein. 1/4th serving of syrup provides 0.03 grams of protein.
Calcium – provides small amounts of calcium which is around 6 percent, and potassium which is about 3.7 percent in value.
Maple syrup is rich in manganese and riboflavin.
Helps in keeping your body hydrated caused due to exercise exertion
Maple syrup is a favorite among athletes looking to hydrate their bodies and maintain energy during exercise. Many studies have shown that beverages made with maple syrup can be used in place of traditional sports drinks.
Helps in treating cancer
Maple syrup has shown its impact on treating specific cancer such as gastrointestinal cancers. Though research is still preliminary, with its antioxidant properties, dark-colored maple syrup comes with a high level of antioxidants, which helps fight damaged cells.
Studies have shown that syrup affects digestive tract cancer cells such as the esophageal and gastric tract. Dark-colored maple syrup is high in phytomedicine, suitable for treating gastrointestinal cancer. These studies do not have significant evidence; however, various research has stated syrup inhibits cancer cell growth compared to non-treated cancer cells.
Summary
Holidays are all about having fun with friends and family and gorging on yummy food and desserts. Maple syrup helps make your desserts and breakfast delicious and a healthy treat. Replacing your sugar consumption with maple syrup will help add nutritional value to your diet.
