The usage of coconut sugar, commonly referred to as coconut palm sugar, in beverages and sweets has grown in favour as a healthier alternative to normal sugar. It is produced from the coconut palm tree’s sap. It is granular and brown in colour. But is it really as healthy as it seems?
Let’s First Examine How Coconut Sugar Is Made: –
The process of making coconut sugar is quick and fascinating. There are numerous additional ways to process coconut sugar, including vacuum drying, dry granulation, spray drying, etc. But heating is the most used technique.
In this method, a sizable quantity of filtered sap is placed in a large wok and cooked for 3 to 5 hours at 100°C on wood or gas-fired burner until it is concentrated and has a distinct, typical aroma. The Maillard reaction and caramelization are the two main processes that occur throughout this process. Some food products turn brown due to a non-enzymatic reaction called the Maillard reaction between proteins and carbohydrates.
The condensed sap is heated and then poured into steel or bamboo moulds. As a consequence, pure solid sugar is produced and is ready for use.
Compared To Regular Sugar; Is Coconut Sugar Healthier?
Food markets are flooded with low-sugar, sugar-free, and synthetic sugar items. However, many of these are regarded as hazardous and unhealthy due to the fact that artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, etc., are produced industrially. As a result, they may result in adverse effects like weight gain, brain tumours, and bladder cancer. They can also lead to metabolic syndrome, increased hunger, slowed metabolism, and insulin resistance.
Since coconut sugar is made from the sap of the coconut palm tree, some of the nutrients from the tree are still there. As a result, it is a healthier alternative than conventional sugar. Additionally, it affects our bodies’ metabolism in various ways.
Do Coconut Sugar Effects Metabolism?
1.) According to one study, coconut sugar has a GI score of 35. Coconut sugar may be a preferable source of healthy sugar due to its reduced GI value.
2.) Minerals like salt, potassium, and magnesium are included in coconut sugar.
3.) Sugars from palm and coconut improved the rate of starch digestion.
4.) There is some fibre present in coconut sugar in the form of prebiotic inulin. Therefore, it might be advantageous for gut health. Plasma lipid levels and inflammation are both reduced by inulin.
5.) Coconut sugar is high in fructose since it includes 70–80% sucrose. Because of this, coconut sugar may raise blood sugar levels.
The metabolic processes taking place inside our bodies are significantly influenced by all nutrients. Coconut sugar is a healthier substitute for white sugar, yet it can still make the body inflamed. Although it is recommended to stay away from any sugar, you can pick a dessert that contains coconut sugar if you really must have something sweet.
About the Author:
Mugdha Pradhan, CEO & Founder of iThrive, TedX speaker, Serial Entrepreneur, Author, and Orator has a Master’s Degree in Nutrition. A few years ago, when she struggled with her personal health issues, learning the nuances of Functional Medicine transformed Mugdha’s health and made her fit, happy and healthy. She moved from Canada to introduce Functional Nutrition for the first time in India through iThrive – Healing & Beyond in 2019.
Mugdha also delivered a Ted talk in 2019 about how she dared to reinvent the current healthcare model to reverse the chronic disease epidemic. iThrive is centred on the concept of food as a tool for disease treatment. ‘How I dared to reinvent the current healthcare model to reverse the chronic disease epidemic,’ says Mugdha, following a period of ill health, she was inspired to change her life for the better and began researching the functional nutritive powers of food – an approach that is revolutionizing the nutrition industry.
iThrive is a health and wellness startup that focuses on reversing chronic health conditions and lifestyle diseases through Functional Nutrition using root cause analysis. It is backed by a team of highly qualified functional nutritionists that help people in reversing a multitude of health dysfunctions through their expertise, science-backed functional nutrition coaching and real-time response.
iThrive recently raised $350,000 in a pre-Series A round, which will be used to accelerate iThrive’s growth and scale all three verticals with technology: iThrive, iThrive Essentials & iThrive Academy.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a health advice. We would ask you to consult a qualified professional or medical expert to gain additional knowledge before you choose to consume any product or perform any exercise.
