Coconut blossom sugar
The harmful effects of sugar are becoming increasingly obvious. As a result, more and more people are turning to natural sugar alternatives. One such sugar that is becoming increasingly popular is coconut blossom sugar. This sugar is extracted from the flowers of the coconut palm and is marketed as being more nutritious than regular sugar. In addition, it is said to have a lower glycemic index than regular sugar. This article aims to separate the facts from the myths and find out whether coconut blossom sugar really is a healthier alternative to sugar.
What is coconut blossom sugar and how is it made?
Coconut blossom sugar is produced naturally from coconut palm sap, which is found in the flowers of the coconut palm. Coconut palm sugar is often confused with palm sugar, which is made from a different type of palm.
The production of coconut blossom sugar takes place in two steps
- A cut is made on the flower of the coconut palm and the sap that flows out is collected in a container.
- The sap is heated until the water it contains has evaporated.
The end product is brown, granulated coconut blossom sugar. The color of coconut blossom sugar is reminiscent of the color of raw sugar, but the particle size is typically smaller and more variable. Summary: Coconut blossom sugar is the dehydrated sap of the flower of the coconut palm.
Is coconut blossom sugar more nutritious than regular sugar?
Regular sugar does not contain any important nutrients and therefore only provides empty calories. Coconut blossom sugar, on the other hand, contains some of the nutrients found in the coconut palm. The most notable of these are iron, zinc, calcium and potassium, along with short-chain fatty acids, polyphenols and antioxidants. Coconut blossom sugar even contains a dietary fiber known as inulin, which may slow glucose absorption, which could explain why coconut sugar has a lower glycemic index than table sugar (1). However, even though coconut blossom sugar contains a few nutrients, you would get significantly more nutrients from "real" food. In addition, coconut blossom sugar is very high in calories (comparable to regular sugar) and you would have to consume an insane amount of coconut blossom sugar to meet your nutritional needs.
- Summary: Coconut sugar contains small amounts of minerals, antioxidants and fiber. However, its very high sugar content more than makes up for any potential benefits.
Coconut blossom sugar has a lower glycemic index (GI)
The glycemic index is a measure of how quickly foods raise blood sugar levels. Glucose has a GI of 100. In comparison, a food with a GI of 50 raises blood sugar levels only half as much as pure glucose. The GI of table sugar is around 60, while coconut blossom sugar has been measured to have a GI of 54 (2). However, it is important to note that the GI can vary greatly from person to person and also between different batches of coconut blossom sugar. Although the inulin contained in coconut blossom sugar may slow down sugar absorption, it is unclear whether this minimal difference in GI has any relevance to health.
- Summary: Coconut blossom sugar causes a slightly lower increase in blood glucose levels than regular sugar. However, the resulting health benefits are also likely to be minor.
Coconut blossom sugar is also packed with fructose
Sugar is unhealthy because it causes a significant increase in blood sugar levels. It is low in nutrients and provides virtually no vitamins or minerals. But all this is just the tip of the iceberg. Another possible reason why added sugar is unhealthy is its high fructose content. Although not all scientists are yet convinced that fructose is a serious health problem in healthy people, most agree that excessive fructose consumption can promote the development of metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese people (3, 4). Regular table sugar (sucrose) consists of 50% fructose and 50% glucose. Despite claims that coconut blossom sugar is fructose-free, it actually consists of 70 to 80% sucrose, half of which is fructose. This means that coconut blossom sugar contains almost the same amount of fructose as regular sugar. When consumed in excess, added sugar can cause all kinds of problems such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes and heart disease, regardless of its origin. Obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Even though coconut blossom sugar has a slightly better nutritional profile than regular sugar, its effects on health are likely to be broadly the same. Therefore, use coconut blossom sugar in moderation, as you should with regular sugar.
- Summary: Coconut blossom sugar is high in fructose. There is clear evidence that high fructose consumption may promote metabolic syndrome in overweight and obese people.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, coconut blossom sugar is not a miracle food. It is very similar to regular sugar, even if it is not as processed and contains minor amounts of nutrients. If you do use coconut blossom sugar, use it sparingly. Coconut blossom sugar is in the same category as most sugar alternatives. It is healthier than refined sugar, but certainly worse than no sugar at all.