Mrs. Butterworth, Log Cabin, maple syrup from the farm down in Vermont. It’s all the same – isn’t it? Well, the short answer is no. The healthiest and tastiest option, by far, is real maple syrup; especially organic maple syrup. Organic maple syrup has numerous health benefits, and only real maple syrup helps to support a healthy immune system and a healthy heart with nutrients like calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, manganese, and several B vitamins. One of the most important advantages of maple syrup is the presence of phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are compounds that are produced by plants which can help to protect your body against cancer.
So, while it’s no secret that kids like sugar, you know that sweeter isn’t necessarily better, so that’s a great reason to pass on Mrs. Butterworth’s next time and look for the real deal; real 100% pure maple syrup. There are very few similarities between imitation syrups and real maple syrup. Imitation syrups offer little or no nutritional value, and are comprised almost entirely of high-fructose corn syrup. For those who opt for the low-calorie versions of these syrups, the news is even worse. In efforts to stay slim, they end up consuming a bunch of artificial sweeteners, which many reports have proven to be potentially harmful.
Many recent news articles and documentaries have reported that there are potentially serious negative effects that high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) can have on our bodies. Over long periods of time, the effects of HFCS consumption can lead to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Staying away from artificial sweeteners and imitation syrups is a start, and switching to 100% maple syrup or organic maple syrup could make a big difference to your health. If you have time, take a look at Coombs Family Farms. They offer a wide range of maple syrup varieties, from lighter Grade A maple syrup, to Medium Amber, all the way up to the stronger maple flavor of their Grade B. You have nothing to lose by switching to the “real deal” – and everything to gain when it comes to adding this healthy alternative sweetener to your diet.
| January 26th, 2012 | Posted in Nutrition |