Coconut Sugar: Healthy Natural Sweetener Promises Sweet Benefits Without Trouble

The upward trend in Diabetes during the past 5 years has many pondering what sweeteners to consume. While sugarholics reach for raw honey, stevia and agave, coconut sugar promises shining health results, inching its way to the number one spot for healthiest sweeteners. Blood sugar spikes with most sugars and sets the stage for disease development. Coconut sugar is low on the glycemic index, but also provides nutrients, amino acids and minerals.

Benefits

A low glycemic index is considered 55 or less. Coconut sugar is about 35, according to the website, sugarcoconut.com. Considered safe for diabetics, the raw sugar contains amino acids, vitamins and contains powerful minerals ensuring quality of blood, skin and nails. The zinc in the coconut helps mental stability and aids keeping the immune system strong.

Flavor

The flavor varies from caramel and nutty to sometimes tasting similar to raw brown sugar. Color also is diverse, depending on where it originated, packaging procedures and time of harvest. Color ranges from ecru beige to a light brown. Coconut sugar is natural, derived from coconut tree flowers. When the tree blooms, sap flows from the blossoms. The sap is known as “toddy” which evaporates and forms into a solid. The toddy is what makes the taste variable. Coconut sugar isn’t as sweet as most sugars.

Where to Buy

Coconut sugar can be purchased in most healthy grocers or online. Most can be found organic and in its raw form. Look for 100% coconut sugar for best results. Coconut sugar can be used for coffee, tea, baking and cooking. Granulated or paste forms are easiest to work with.

Sustainable

The coconut tree can survive in humid, hot climates in troubled soil and requires very little water. According to the website, fao.org., the tree is the most sustainable tree in the world. The sap, once tapped, can flow over 20 years. The sturdy tree grows in the wild and in diverse eco-systems.

Comparisons

Coconut sugar is barely processed, much less than refined sugar. Coconut nutrients outshine refined sugar, even brown sugar. The glycemic count is almost 100 for a teaspoon of refined sugar, compared to only 35 in coconut nectar. Agave nectar has been showing up on grocery shelves as a healthy sugar, but even though its glycemic count is low, it still is an ultra-concentrated fructose, linked to disease and obesity. Xylitol, concentrated sugar from corn cobs, is popular, but many find they are allergic to the sweetener. Coconut sugar can be a healthy alternative to other sugars. But like most sweeteners, small dosage is necessary for optimal health.

Sources:

coconutsugar.com

www.fao.org