Maple Syrup: Benefits And Harm

Maple syrup is maple sap concentrate. From the point of view of physical properties, maple syrup is a translucent viscous liquid with a pleasant aroma and a very sweet taste.

According to the Canadian standard, the maple syrup must consist of at least 66% sugar. And here we are talking exclusively about the sugar that remains in the syrup after the maple juice has evaporated (it is forbidden to add other sugar, as well as “synthetics”).
By the way, for the production of 1 liter of maple syrup, it is necessary to “exterminate” about 40 liters of maple sap, which, as is known, is much sweeter than birch – ten times, judging by the calorie content (on average, 261 kcal against 22 kcal per 100 grams of product).

Almost all maple sap – close to 100% – is extracted in Canada and the USA. Moreover, the share of the USA accounts for no more than 10%, the rest is “pumped” from Canadian sugar maples.

Nutritional value of maple syrup

100 g of maple syrup contains:

• 0 g of fat.
• 88.3 g of carbohydrates.
• 0 g of proteins.

The calorie content of maple syrup is 336 kcal per 100 g.

Maple syrup is an important source of many nutrients.

A ¼ cup of maple syrup (60 g) contains:

• 100% of the recommended daily allowance of manganese – an important source of energy, healthy bone formation, and antioxidant protection, which are necessary for the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system.
• 34% of the daily norm of riboflavin, which helps in metabolic processes.
• 11% of the daily norm of zinc, necessary both for normal reproductive function and for strengthening the immune system.

Useful properties of maple syrup
A trace element such as manganese is an important cofactor for enzymes that produce energy and antioxidant protection.

The low glycemic index compared to other sweeteners

The glycemic index is an indicator of the effect of food on the blood sugar level after consumption. The glycemic index of all other foods is compared to the glycemic index of glucose, depending on how quickly they are absorbed. When a product is assigned a low glycemic index, it means that when it is consumed, the blood sugar level rises slowly. By eating foods with a low GI (55 or below), we can prevent heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Maple syrup has a GI (54), which gives it advantages over other sweeteners such as sugar (58) and honey (87).

Effects of maple syrup on the cardiovascular system

Zinc contained in maple syrup is an antioxidant, but it also has another important function – reducing the development of atherosclerosis. The manganese in maple syrup is also very good for the heart.

Effect of maple syrup on the immune system

Zinc and manganese in maple syrup play an important role in the immune system. Researchers studied, mainly in children, the effect of zinc deficiency and zinc levels on the number of white blood cells. In these studies, zinc deficiency compromised the number of white blood cells and while normal zinc levels restored sufficient numbers of these cells. The manganese in maple syrup is also important for the immune system as an antioxidant, helping to reduce inflammation and promote healing. In addition, manganese is an immunostimulator.

Effect of maple syrup on reproductive function

Maple syrup affects reproductive function, especially in men. Zinc is most concentrated in the prostate than in any other tissue. Low levels of zinc in this gland increase the risk of prostate cancer. Manganese also plays a role in maintaining male health as a catalyst for the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol, which are involved in the production of sex hormones, thus helping to improve reproductive capacity.

Maple syrup as a probiotic

Scientists have conducted research on whether maple sap can be used in the development of new probiotic products. Probiotics are living microorganisms that, when they enter the human gastrointestinal tract in sufficient quantities, retain their activity, and vitality and have a positive effect on human health, increase immunity, improve digestion, and generally have a positive effect on health. Because of its nutritional value and the fact that currently, most commercially available probiotics are dairy-based, maple sap appeared to be a good candidate as a basis for creating a new probiotic product. A probiotic product based on maple sap may be ideal, especially for people with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies. Several trial probiotic products have been developed on the basis of maple sap, the use of which has shown that there is excellent potential for further development of such probiotics.

Maple syrup in cooking

First of all, it should be said that maple syrup is a great alternative to all kinds of jams and jams. And this is confirmed every day by millions of Canadians and Americans who use maple syrup with pancakes, pancakes, and waffles. In addition, it is often added as a natural sugar substitute in drinks, bread, sweet desserts, pastries, sauces, meat dishes, vegetable stews, etc.

In principle, maple syrup is a universal flavor enhancer. At least this is what the residents of Quebec (Canada) believe, who on the day of the “Sugar House” (a holiday celebrated in the season of harvesting maple juice) brew beer with syrup, pour maple syrup over omelets, ham, beans, and other traditional dishes, and also cook from it Lollipops are analogs of our “cockerels”.

How to choose maple syrup

There are many criteria, evaluating which you can choose high-quality maple syrup with the taste that you need. However, in our reality, three criteria are enough to evaluate maple syrup:

• The syrup must be produced in Canada because there is a special government commission whose duties include monitoring the purity and authenticity of maple syrup.
• The lighter the syrup, the more delicate its taste and the subtler its aroma.
• Product concentration. It should be thick and fluid at the same time.

How to choose and store maple syrup correctly

As for the storage of maple syrup, it should be stored in a dark and cool place. A refrigerator is an ideal place for this.

Too bad about the maple juice

Maple juice, especially maple syrup, contains a large amount of glucose, so it should be taken with caution!

In addition, you should not collect maple sap near highways or large industrial enterprises, because the ground near such objects is usually saturated with heavy metals, which eventually turn out to be in the composition of maple sap. Such juice will definitely not be useful!

An allergic reaction is also possible, so if you haven’t drunk maple juice before, try drinking it in a small amount to begin with, for example, half a glass. If your health does not deteriorate, take this useful product with joy. But, like any other product, maple syrup can harm the human body if consumed in large doses.