Nutrition Facts and Benefits of Maple Syrup (2024)

FAQs

Nutrition Facts and Benefits of Maple Syrup? ›

While it lacks vitamins, maple syrup is rich in certain minerals, such as manganese. It also has antioxidants that may offer health benefits, such as lowering cholesterol and supporting brain health. But, its high sugar content can lead to tooth decay and further health problems for people with diabetes.

Yes, pure maple syrup is not only high in antioxidants, but every spoonful offers nutrients like riboflavin, zinc, magnesium, calcium and potassium. According to Helen Thomas of the New York State Maple Association, maple syrup has a higher concentration of minerals and antioxidants, yet fewer calories than honey.

Yes, pure maple syrup is less processed than other added sugars. Yes, it has more antioxidants and minerals than table sugar.

Both offer benefits in the form of either vitamins or minerals, and both offer protective antioxidant activity. Putting taste aside, as the two have different flavors — honey is more floral while maple syrup is more woodsy — maple syrup tends to be the slightly healthier choice, but we enjoy both throughout the year.

Consuming too much maple syrup can hamper blood sugar and insulin. The American Heart Association recommends consuming a dosage of 36 grams of maple syrup for men and 25 grams for women.

The study looked at how the molecule in maple syrup, quebecol, affected known substances in the human body that relate to inflammation. The experiments showed that quebecol was effective in preventing many of these substances from causing inflammation, further concluding that it is a great anti-inflammatory agent.

Maple syrup has a higher sugar content and a lower mineral content than blackstrap molasses, but its sweet taste is more universal. Two teaspoons of maple syrup provide 22 percent of your daily requirement of manganese, a mineral essential to survival.

Maple syrup has the same antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as green tea, which is also a superfood. Maple syrup offers health benefits, just like blueberries, red wine and tea. Because of its antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, maple syrup helps prevent cancer and Type 2 diabetes.

It is healthier to stick to organic and pure maple syrup – or “real maple syrup” as it is sometimes called.

Maple syrup should be kept in the refrigerator once it's opened so as to discourage mold from growing on the syrup. Should mold grow on maple syrup, it's safe and easy to remove. Just scoop the mold off the top of the syrup with a spoon and discard the mold.

Does maple syrup go bad? ›

Does Maple Syrup Go Bad? As it turns out, maple syrup does have a shelf life once opened, and mold is not as uncommon as we thought. StillTasty.com indicates that 100 percent pure maple syrup should keep for a year unopened in the pantry, a year opened in the refrigerator, and indefinitely in the freezer.

Lower cholesterol

In animal studies, scientists find that maple syrup may have effects on cholesterol. Not only does maple syrup lower cholesterol in mice, it also has the potential to prevent inflammation.

Maple syrup can provide some digestive health benefits, especially in terms of improving gut health. Here's how maple syrup can help with digestive health: Prebiotics: Maple syrup contains natural prebiotics, a fiber that acts as food for beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Nutritional potentials. In the human diet, maple syrup is considered a source of carbohydrates instead of refined sugars. In addition, maple syrup has been deemed a good source of vitamins (Table 1), and minerals [8] necessary for the human body for biochemical reactions such as the synthesis of enzymes or hormones.

And like broccoli and bananas, it's a natural source of beneficial antioxidants. Antioxidants have been shown to help prevent cancer, support the immune system, lower blood pressure and slow the effects of aging. Maple syrup is also a better source of some nutrients than apples, eggs or bread.

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.

Brown sugar is known to have more vitamins and minerals than white sugar, however it still offers slightly less nutritional value than pure maple syrup. Maple syrup has fewer calories and also offers more calcium, riboflavin and manganese than brown sugar.