Coconut Sugar: It's the healthiest sugar



People are talking about it. People are scouting for reliable suppliers of this product. Because more people are now getting more concerned about their health and well-being. I’m referring to coconut sugar – a natural sweetener made of 100% all natural sweet watery sap from cut flower buds of fresh coconuts.

Coconut sugar can be used as a healthy substitute to other sugar or sweeteners. Coconut sugar is natural, unrefined and concentrated, hence loaded with nutrients, especially minerals.

The main advantages and differences of coconut sugar/syrup vis-à-vis cane sugar/syrup and other artificial sweeteners are as follows:

1. Coconut sugar/syrup has a lower Glycemic Index (35 to 42 GI) compared with cane sugar’s high Glycemic Index (68 to 80 GI). A high GI will cause spikes in blood sugar and will not be good for those who are pre-diabetic or diabetic or even for normal people without diabetes. Coconut sugar has almost half the GI of cane sugar.

Coconut sugar is a wonderful, nutrient-dense natural sweetener. According to the test results conducted by the research team of Dr. Trinidad P. Trinidad, Scientist II of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology of the Philippines, the glycemic index of coconut sugar obtained from the sap of the coconut is 35 to 42.

The low glycemic index is good for the proper control and management of diabetes mellitus and has been shown to lower total and LDL cholesterol. It is reportedly good for weight maintenance and prevents overweight and obesity;

2. Coconut sugar/syrup has more vitamins, minerals, amino acid content compared with cane sugars (white sugar, brown sugar, muscovado, demarara, turbinado) and is nutritionally superior as compared with other types of commercial sugar/sweeteners, especially compared with artificial/synthetic sweeteners;

3. Coconut syrup/sugar contains inulin (FOS) and inositol (anti-cancer, anti-depression, anti-diabetic, etc.) but cane sugar and “other sweeteners” do not contain these two which are beneficial for health;

4. Coconut sugar/syrup is a whole food and is minimally processed, has no additives, no preservatives, no synthetic adulterants as compared with chemical-based and laboratory-made sweeteners; and

5. Coconut sugar/syrup is a sustainable product and helps protect the environment as compared with the production of other commercial sweeteners/sugars. Coconut sugar/syrup is the Single Most Sustainable Sweetener in the World according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the World Bank.

Excerpt from,
Healthiest sugar
Export Action Line
By NELLY FAVIS-VILLAFUERTE
July 9, 2011, 3:22am