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We love our pancakes with a generous dollop of maple syrup. But a recent study says it’s time to accept maple syrup as a superior sweetener to everything else. The study led by Dr. Andre Marette of Laval University explored the potential health benefits of maple syrup and how it may prevent metabolic diseases.
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“From decades of research we know that maple syrup is much more than just sugar,” Dr. Andre Marette, the project’s lead scientist, said in a media release. It contains over 100 natural compounds, including polyphenols, which are known to prevent disease through their anti-inflammatory effects.
Study findings:
The study was conducted on 42 healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 75, whose body mass index (BMI) was between 23 and 40. They were asked to replace 5% of their daily calories with maple syrup for eight weeks. Then, after a four-week break, they were asked to replace five percent of their calorie intake with refined sugar.
The results were analyzed and maple syrup showed significant health improvements in participants, primarily in four categories:
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blood sugar: Compared to the refined sugar group, maple syrup helps manage blood sugar levels better.
blood pressure: A 3-point reduction in participants’ systolic blood pressure was observed when they consumed maple syrup. For refined sugar, an increase in blood pressure was observed.
belly fat: Visceral fat is linked to several health risks like heart disease and diabetes. It was observed that when participants replaced their calories with maple syrup, their belly fat decreased.
gut health:Maple syrup demonstrated a reduction in harmful gut bacteria and an increase in the amount of beneficial gut bacteria.
Also read: Looking for healthier alternatives to sugar? Here are 5 natural sweeteners you can add to your food
Nutrients in Maple Syrup:
Maple syrup contains manganese, riboflavin, calcium, thiamine, potassium and copper. Dr. Andre Marette said that consumption of maple syrup can significantly reduce the risk of many heart diseases and diabetes.
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