Maple Syrup – The Smart Sweetener

Is there anything more Canadian than maple syrup? Sweet, sticky and healthy!

Healthy, you ask? Isn’t it just pure sugar? Well, yes – and no! Research has uncovered a multitude of health benefits when it comes to enjoying this functional food.

Made from 100% maple sap, maple syrup made in Canada contains no additives – by law it must be labelled as such to be considered ‘real’ maple syrup. Producers collect sap from tapped maple trees and heat the clear liquid to evaporation – what is left after evaporation is pure Maple Syrup! 

“Maple syrup is a unique natural sweetener. It easily contains over 100 different substances including mono-and disaccharides (primarily as sucrose), complex sugars (i.e. oligosaccharides), minerals, amino acids, organic acids, phytohormones, vitamins, and phytochemicals.” Says Professor Navindra Seeram, Ph.D. in his study of maple via Rhode Island University. But what does that mean, or why should you care?  

“Several of these compounds possess anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may have beneficial effects against certain cancers, diabetes, bacterial illnesses, and some neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. Few, if any, other natural sweeteners have this anti-oxidant cocktail of beneficial compounds.” Says Seeram.

That’s not all, maple syrup is rich in minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, zinc and iron; it also loaded with b-vitamins like riboflavin, niacin and thiamine. Ingesting maple syrup can also improve beneficial gut bacteria with inulin – a type of carbohydrate that acts as a prebiotic. These wonder ingredients make maple syrup a great way to improve immunity and inflammation.

With similar antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients as known superfoods like green tea, blueberries and red wine – it is suggested that eating maple syrup can help prevent cancers and type 2 diabetes. 

Something as simple as trading refined sugars in your beverages, baking and cooking recipes for natural maple syrup is a great way to make healthy choices, and even lower cholesterol – it’s the ‘smarter sweetener’! 

Obviously, maple is still high in natural sugars, so enjoy responsibly – because there is such a thing as too much of a good thing!

Looking for a local maple producer here in Cottage Country? Staples Maple Syrup is a well-known family owned and operated sugar bush located in Cavan, ON that has been providing local farmers markets, businesses and maple lovers with pure maple syrup for over 50 years! 

www.staplesmaplesyrup.com 

Directions for Baking with Maple Syrup

1 Cup of refined sugar is equal to 2/3 Cup of Maple Syrup
Reduce quantity of liquid ingredients in recipe by 1/4 Cup
Lower your baking temperature by 25 degrees F