The Surprising Health Benefits of Maple Syrup
Why Maple Syrup Is Good for You
You know it’s sweet and delicious, but did you know that every spoonful of pure maple syrup is also high in antioxidants and nutrients like riboflavin, zinc, magnesium, calcium and potassium?
Just a small amount (60 ml/4 Tbsp) of maple syrup provides 100% of the recommended daily intake of manganese, about 40% of riboflavin, 18% of zinc and 5% of both calcium and potassium. Studies on the health benefits of maple syrup are starting to show promising outcomes.
Nutritional and Health benefits
In animal studies, scientists find that maple syrup may have effects on cholesterol. Not only does maple syrup lower cholesterol in mice, it also has the potential to prevent inflammation.
Research into maple syrup’s effects on brain health is just coming to light, but the findings hint at exciting benefits. Maple syrup appears to help prevent the differences of certain proteins found in brain cells that link to the development of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. Animal studies also connect the syrup to longer lifespans with Alzheimer’s.
Natural Sweeteners Compared
Sugar cane is delicious but it offers almost no minerals and antioxidants and it’s much more calorie dense than honey and maple syrup. If the contest is between ooey-gooey honey and rich maple syrup, maple syrup takes the win. We’re still team maple syrup or honey, but honey is a bit sweeter than maple syrup, with 17 grams of sugar per tablespoon, compared to 12 grams in maple syrup per tablespoon.
Sometimes you want a little sweetness in your life and maple syrup provides a healthy way to soothe a sweet tooth in ways cane sugar just can’t match.