The Health Attributes of Maple Syrup and Other Maple Products

Maple syrup is popular because of its sweet and unique taste that blends perfectly with waffles, pancakes and other pastry foods. Nonetheless, aside from its sweet tase, maple syrup is good because promotes the health of our body. Maple syrup is, firstly, a purely organic substance. It is created by taking fresh sap from maple trees and boiling this sap until it thickens completely into syrup. Absolutely no preservatives added! It has also a lower amount of calories compared to sugarcane but is 3 times sweeter! Thus, it can be used as a sweetener and is perfect for individuals with diabetes. It can be used as your pastry or coffee sweetener rather than honey or white sugar. In the US, maple syrup grades are classified that way based on their color and flavor. No matter if you choose Vermont maple syrup or some other variety, you will be healthier for it. The health benefits of maple syrup supplies are numerous.
Maple syrup also contains manganese, which is very essential for antioxidant defenses and in the production of energy. This is because the so-called “powerhouses” of our body, mitochondria, require manganese for it to be able to produce energy. The enzyme superoxide dismutase that functions in oxidation by disarming free radicals also needs manganese to function properly. Just an ounce of maple syrup is enough to provide our bodies with the daily needed amount of manganese which is 22%.
In addition to this, maple syrup contains zinc making it good for the heart.Aside from antioxidant purposes, zinc also helps in considerably decreasing the progression of the heart condition atherosclerosis. It is also needed by the cells in the heart’s endothelium for proper functioning. It has been proven that cells in the endothelium that are low in zinc are more prone to injury.
These two minerals, zinc and manganese, contained in maple syrup are also important factors in the functioning of our immune system. Many immune system cells depend on zinc to properly function optimally, specifically in children. It has been shown in studies that a deficiency in zinc also causes a decrease in the number of white blood cells and the ability of the immune system to respond properly. Moreover, manganese is important for healing since it decreases the swelling of sores and wounds. Furthermore, it functions as a refreshment for the immune system.
Also, maple syrup is very important for reproduction, particularly the reproductive health of men. This is because the prostate is where zinc is more highly concentrated than in any other tissue in the body. It was also discovered from studies that low levels of zinc in the prostate gland is associated with greater risks of developing prostatitis and prostate cancer. As a matter of fact, many health care professionals use zinc as a therapeutic remedy that helps reduce the size of the prostate. On the other hand, reproductive health also benefits from manganese because is participates in the production of hormones that stimulate sexual drive.