Benefits of coconut sugar – Coconut sugar, a healthier alternative to refined sugar, is the dehydrated and boiled sap of the coconut palm. Because of its low fructose content and low glycemic index, coconut sugar has piqued the interest of many health-conscious consumers.
When compared to regular white sugar, it also contains trace amounts of some minerals and antioxidants. Another advantage that coconut sugar has over other sweeteners is that it is not refined or chemically altered, and it includes no artificial ingredients or synthetic compounds.
Coconut sugar is not a direct variant of coconut; rather, it is the obtained boiled and dehydrated sap of the coconut palm. It has the appearance and flavor of clumped brown sugar with a slight hint of caramel. The process of breadmaking and cooking usually use it as a flavor enhance.
What is Coconut Sugar and Its Nutrition Information?
People also know coconut sugar as coconut palm sugar. This kinds of sugar comes from the sap of the coconut palm tree, not the coconuts themselves. Because it is plant-based and minimally processed, coconut sugar is a popular sweetener in many vegan diets.
Some people believe that coconut sugar is more nutritious than regular table sugar because it is a plant-based, natural sweetener. In terms of nutrients and calories, coconut sugar is nearly identical to regular cane sugar.
The coconut palm tree has many nutrients. People can see it from coconut sugar that contains most notably iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium. These nutrients can help the body in a variety of ways, but coconut sugar doesn’t have enough of them per serving to provide a measurable benefit.
Coconut sugar also contains inulin, a soluble fiber linked to a lower risk of blood sugar spikes. One teaspoon of coconut sugar contains:
- 18 calories
- 0 grams of protein
- 0 grams of fat
- 5 grams of carbohydrates
- 0 grams of fiber
- 5 grams of sugar
What are Benefits of Coconut Sugar?
Users can get benefits of coconut sugar if they use it properly. Some of its benefits are:
Low glycemic index
The glycemic index (GI) is a standard measure that assesses the influence of carbohydrate-containing foods on our blood sugar and insulin sensitivity. High GI foods can cause your sugar levels to increase unexpectedly, putting a strain on your insulin levels. Furthermore, coconut sugar includes insulin, a fiber that is has functions to decrease glucose absorption.
Relatively high on nutrients
Coconut sugar, with about 16 calories and four grams of carbohydrate per teaspoon, may not reduce your calorie intake, but regular white sugar is what we call “empty calories,” which means it contains no nutrients. Coconut sugar, from the other hand, contains a high concentration of antioxidants, iron, calcium, and potassium.
Not refined
Coconut sugar is pure and natural, as opposed to the extensive refining process that regular sugar must go through. We can use it to make a variety of desserts and drinks.
Good for the gut
Bifidobacterium growth in the intestine. We know that Bifidobacterium can help restore good bacteria in the gut while also increasing immunity. Bifidobacterium usually produce thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6, and vitamin K.
To reap the full benefits of coconut sugar, you must be a conscientious shopper. Many brands may sell coconut sugar that has been mixed with cane sugar. As a result, before making a purchase, carefully read the ingredient label. Coconut sugar, also referred to as coconut crystals or coconut palm sugar, may be slightly more expensive than regular cane sugar.
Better electrolytes
Coconut sugar contains potassium, magnesium, and sodium, all of which are appropriate for regulating your body’s water content as well as various heart, nerve, and muscle functions. It includes roughly 400 times the potassium of regular sugar.
Less fructose
Fructose is often a type of sugar that our bodies quickly convert into fats. Fructose is not easily broken down, and only the liver is capable of doing so; this complex breakdown results in the formation of triglycerides (a form of fat).
Raw antioxidant
Because coconut sugar is simply dehydrated coconut sap, it is considered a raw food, which means it retains all of the beneficial antioxidants found in the original source. Antioxidants prevent the oxidation of cells in the body, which aids in the prevention of aging.
Vitamin C and Mineral
Another benefits of coconut sugar are having vitamin C and mineral. We know that Vitamin C is can support the immune system and keeping you healthy, but this also promotes healthy bones and skin. Besides, coconut sugar contains iron, zinc, and calcium, all of which have numerous health benefits, including stronger bones.
Dos and Don’ts When Use Coconut Sugar
To get the benefits of coconut sugar properly, we should consider about how to use it in an effective way. Here are some dos and don’ts when use coconut sugar:
Do grind your coconut sugar if you are baking with it
Typically, coconut sugar crystals are coarse. One of the primary distinctions between coconut sugar and refined white sugar or regular brown sugar is its texture. If you’re using coconut sugar in a recipe that calls for brown sugar or refined white sugar, pulse it briefly in a blender to finely grind the grains.
Furthermore, grain size can affect the texture of recipes that call for creaming butter and sugar. Large grains can cause the item to be overly porous.
Do use coconut sugar as 1:1 substitute for white or brown sugar
This is ideal if you want to use coconut sugar as a table sweetener, such as in oatmeal or a beverage. In terms of sweetness, coconut sugar is perfectly interchangeable with white or brown sugar; however, adjustments to baking time and ingredients may be required for some recipes.
Do exercise extra care when using coconut sugar to make medicines
Because coconut sugar burns at a lower temperature than white sugar, you can only use it in recipes that call for bringing the sugar to the soft ball stage and no further. It’s worth noting that, while no sugar smells good when it’s burning, burnt coconut sugar smells especially bad.
Don’t use it with expectation of major health benefits
Coconut sugar is still a sugar, and it contains the same amount of carbohydrates and calories as table sugar. It will still make consumers being fat, and consuming too much of it will have many of the same negative consequences as any other type of sugar. Although coconut sugar contains inulin and thus is not completely devoid of nutrition, it still has a limited health benefits.
Don’t use it with the expectation of getting a coconut flavor from it
To make coconut sugar, it use the sap of the coconut, not the meat of the coconut. The traditional coconut flavor comes from the meat. Coconut sugar has a mild, straightforward caramel flavor.
Where to buy best coconut sugar? I choose Nusagro store for buying best coconut sugar.
Those are benefits of coconut sugar, dos and don’ts when using it. We can see it from the evidence that coconut sugar can be one of healthier alternative of sugar. People can still get the benefits if use it in an effective way.
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