The Healthy Benefits 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.First and foremost, maple syrup is 100% organic. It is made by boiling sap fresh from maple trees until it fully thickens into syrup. There are certainly no added preservatives! It has also a lower amount of calories compared to sugarcane but is 3 times sweeter! Therefore, it is a perfect sweetener and ideal for the diabetics. Instead of using white sugar or honey for your coffee or baked pastries, many people are using maple syrup as the substitute. In the US, maple syrup grades are classified that way based on their color and flavor. No matter if you choose Canadian maple syrup or some other variety, you will be healthier for it. The health benefits of maple syrup are numerous.
Manganese, a mineral that plays an important role in energy production and antioxidant defenses, is contained also in maple syrup. This is because mitochondria, the energy factories of our body, need manganese in its functioning. The enzyme superoxide dismutase that functions in oxidation by disarming free radicals also needs manganese to function properly. The daily consumption requirement for manganese is 22% and this can be given already by just one ounce of maple syrup.
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. Endothelial cells also need it in order to function properly. It has been established that endothelial cells with low levels of zinc are more susceptible 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. Studies have also shown that poor immune response and an increase in the number of white blood cells are some of the effects of low zinc levels. Also, manganese helps in reducing inflammation of wounds and other sores, thereby promoting healing. 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 due to the fact that zinc is more highly concentrated in the prostate area than in any other locations in the body. Studies have also shown a link between zinc deficiency and higher risks of prostate cancer and prostatitis development. In fact, zinc is used as a therapeutic by numerous health care specialists for reducing the size of the prostate. Manganese, on the other hand, also contributes to reproductive health since it is a participating mineral in the production of sex hormones.