Maple syrup is more than a delicious tasting food item. It has also been used to help people lose weight. In fact, the singer and actress, Beyonce, has been said to have gone on a strict diet, rich in maple syrup, to lose 20 pounds in 14 days for the role of Deena Jones in the movie Dreamgirls. Ingredients naturally included in maple syrup also offer health benefits.
Three hundred years ago when dairy farmers first started making maple syrup in order to supplement the incomes they received from selling dairy products, they got the idea to drill holes into maple trees. Their innovative move led to two discoveries, if not more. First, the farmers discovered that sap taken from maple trees was a naturally sweet food item that could be used to add flavor to a variety of breads, meats and fruits. They also learned that more sap came out of maple trees the morning or afternoon after mercury temperatures lowered below freezing. It may never be known whether or not this discovery is the reason why farmers boiled the sap, separating the small percentage of water in the food item, from the rest of the sugary substance, making what we now refer to as maple syrup.
Not only is maple syrup delicious to eat, especially on hot pancakes, ice cream or a bowl of fruit, maple syrup also has health benefits. Of course, as with other food items, the impact that the syrup will have on each person varies from individual to individual. However, health benefits the syrup has become known for include:
- Antioxidant strength – According to the FitSugar July 25,2012 “Benefits of Maple Syrup” article, University of Rhode Island researchers discovered that maple syrup, ” is filled with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that may help prevent several chronic and inflammatory diseases like diabetes, cancer, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s.”
- Help inhibit enzymes that convert carbohydrates into sugar using phenolics that are naturally built into maple syrup
- Ease digestion process – produces less gas and bloating in people than unnatural sugars and sweeteners
- Muscle recovery and improvement – Manganese in the syrup has been said to aid in the repair of muscle and cell tissue, including damaged cells
- Levels blood sugar – manganese has also been reported to help stabilize blood sugar levels
- Vitamins like zinc, iron, potassium and calcium were also found to support the reproductive system, according to the University of Rhode Island findings. These vitamins have also been reported to help protect people from getting colds and viruses, not to mention strengthening white blood cells
The real health benefits of maple syrup might not be fully appreciated until you visit a farm or company that makes the syrup. This way you can learn more about the ingredients used to turn maple sap into delicious and hot syrup. Another thing that people are discovering, whether or not they visit a farm that makes the syrup, is that the syrup is easier on the body, and weight, than hard, white sugar. Who knows? Over time, the syrup, like honey, might take the guilt out of enjoying a sweet, delicious food item.
This guest post was submitted by professional writter Rhonda Campbell.
