Maple Syrup vs Sugar: Is Maple Syrup Better for You Than Sugar? (2024)

FAQs

Maple Syrup vs Sugar: Is Maple Syrup Better for You Than Sugar? ›

As a natural sweetener, pure maple syrup contains more nutrients than table sugar and is therefore considered a healthier alternative to table sugar. However, it's still high in sugar, and like any sweetener should be enjoyed in moderation. That said, if you are to pick one, pure maple syrup is the natural choice.

It's less processed than regular table sugars and therefore contains more nutrients like vitamins, minerals & antioxidants which help improve your health. Maple Syrup also scores lower on the glycemic index so it's an excellent choice if you want to maintain stable blood glucose levels while enjoying delicious treats!

You can opt for coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, and agave nectar, which are some good and healthy options. Another good option is shakkar, an unprocessed sugar rich in nutrients like zinc, iron, potassium, and magnesium. You can also use jaggery to sweeten up your desserts and beverages.

Stevia and monk fruit are both naturally derived from plants and some people feel they have a flavor very similar to regular sugar. The FDA says these sweeteners are “generally regarded as safe,” which means they are safe to use for their intended purpose.

What grade maple syrup is healthiest? Whether it's for use in a master cleanse or as a topping for your pancakes, Grade A Dark will be better for you. It has more antioxidants and mineral content than the lighter colors.

These sugars are primarily derived from simple sugars fructose. They also have a trace of carbohydrates and even lesser amounts of sucrose. Between honey or maple syrup, maple syrup is the healthier alternative because it contains less sugar as a whole. And essentially, it has less fructose.

So is there a definitive answer to which is healthier, honey or sugar? Both should be consumed in limited amounts. Honey may have a slight edge, but excess consumption of either is more dangerous to your health than the advantage of choosing one over the other.

Fructose in processed foods may be the worst for health

Your body converts fructose to glucose in the liver to use it for energy. Excess fructose from processed foods and beverages places a burden on your liver, which may lead to a series of metabolic problems ( 16 ).

Bottom Line. For the general public, sugar in fruit is not bad as long as you consume the whole fruit and not just fruit juice or products that contain sweetened fruit pieces. When we are seeking to limit sugars, added sugars are more of a concern.

Stevia was initially banned because some highly alarming early studies suggested that the sweetener might be linked to cancer. There were also other concerns about the sweet compounds in stevia leaves, known as steviol glycosides.

Is stevia better than sugar? ›

In the sense that pure stevia doesn't add calories, affect blood sugar or insulin levels, or contribute to tooth decay, it is a better choice than sugar. However, highly refined extracts perpetuate the desire for sweet-tasting foods and drinks, and therefore overconsumption is not recommended.

Allulose packs two-thirds of the sweetness of sugar with very minimal calories. Unlike the 4 calories each gram of sugar provides, allulose contains 0.4 calories per gram. Why so low in calories?

Studies indicate that maple syrup is a decent source of antioxidants. One study found 24 different antioxidants in maple syrup (7). Darker syrups like Grade B supply more of these beneficial antioxidants than lighter ones ( 8 ). However, the total antioxidant content is still low compared to the large amounts of sugar.

Once opened, does maple syrup need to be refrigerated if it's the pure variety? Yes, because it's a natural product with no preservatives and can spoil or grow mold. If your syrup is not hot-packed, store it in the fridge (even if it's unopened) and plan to consume it quickly.

No. But, if you're going to use sugar in a recipe, you might as well substitute in maple syrup since it's slightly better for you than refined sugar. The reality is maple syrup is still high in sugar. It would be very unhealthy to eat several tablespoons of maple syrup per day to add calcium or potassium to your diet.

Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that is widely used as an alternative option to avoid the use of refined sugar. Maple syrup has a significantly lower glycemic index than refined sugar and, thus, can be used to reduce the risk of diabetes, obesity, and other metabolic diseases.

Some healthy alternatives to traditional pancake syrup include pure maple syrup, honey, fruit compote, and nut butter drizzles. These options provide natural sweetness and additional nutrients compared to traditional syrups.

Unrefined sugars such as honey, maple syrup, and molasses are just as damaging as refined white sugar in this respect. The worst offenders are the sugars in sticky foods that cling to teeth, such as dried fruit leathers and candies. Sodas and sweetened juice drinks leave the teeth awash in sugar.

Pure maple syrup is a beautiful thing, and many of us agree that the extra expense of drawing and boiling sap from tall, cold trees is well worth it. Granted, no one slathers their breakfast plate with maple syrup with the intention of improving their health, but the real stuff is not devoid of nutrients.