Is Maple syrup Actually Good For You?

[Julieanne]

• Diana Herrington
• April 30, 2018

When we think of maple syrup, we picture a large stack of pancakes overflowing with sticky goodness. Even pure maple syrup is a form of sugar, so it�s important not to go overboard. But when we include small amounts in our food, it can provide some surprising health benefits.

Packed with Antioxidants

Maple syrup has up to 24 different antioxidants beneficial for reducing free radical damage, according to the medical journal Pharmaceutical Biology. This study out of Canada found that pure maple syrup has 20 compounds beneficial for human health.
�We know that plants must have strong anti-oxidant mechanisms because they are in the sun throughout their lives. Now we are looking at maple syrup, which comes from the sap located just inside the bark, which is constantly exposed to the sun,� says lead study author, Navindra Seeram, PhD.


Read more: https://www.care2.com/greenliving/is...d-for-you.html

[Islander]

A little maple syrup can replace brown sugar where it is called for in stir-frys. Extra yum!

[Julieanne]

Islander, what recipes need sugar in stir fries? I haven't come across one. I do notice that US recipes call for sugar where I probably wouldn't add it. Like adding to sweet potatoes!

Maple syrup is really expensive in Oz, so not many recipes call for it.

[Islander]

Occasionally I find an Asian recipe that calls for a sweetener, often brown sugar, in small amounts. I don't typically keep sugar in the house, but if I follow the recipe I might substitute maple syrup. In a year where my neighbor doesn't tap trees trees so I can't assist, I buy from local folks who do. When I help my neighbor, my syrup is free! (Well, because he taps my trees too).

[Mr. Wizard]

There are a number of "artificial" maple syrups on the market. This article is referring to "pure, unadulterated" maple syrup. Most stores and restaurants probably won't carry the "pure" stuff.

[Julieanne]

I've tried the imitation stuff, and it tastes pretty good! Did you know the flavour comes from fenugreek seeds? You can make a fair copy yourself with fenugreek and honey.

[wr7476]

I don't know if the cancer fighting properties of maple syrup have been discussed in prior HH postings, but here is an interesting article addressing studies on that subject.

http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/map...study-suggests

[grulla]

A little maple syrup can replace brown sugar where it is called for in stir-frys. Extra yum!

Sugar or maple syrup in stir-frys sounds like a recipe for POSSIBLE acrylamides. Stir quickly.

[grulla]

Most stores and restaurants probably won't carry the "pure" stuff.

Surprise, surprise, Wally carries pure USDA organic maple syrup. Good luck with restaurants, even their packs of honey are probably adulterated with god knows what, not to mention bottled store bought honey. I get my locally produced honey from a bulk dispenser at my food co-op, wish they could do the same with maple syrup.

[Islander]

Grulla, a tablespoon of maple syrup is the least of my worries. Now, if I found a tick in it...

And Julieanne, I've tried a few of the imitation syrups years ago. They taste good (but not like the real thing) but the ingredients are a horror show, starting with HFCS. I'm thinking of name brands like Aunt Jemima, Log Cabin, and the house brand.

[Mr. Wizard]

[QUOTE=wr7476;79089]I don't know if the cancer fighting properties of maple syrup have been discussed in prior HH postings, but here is an interesting article addressing studies on that subject.

The properties of maple syrup are a lot like honey. They both are anti-microbial, which make them both great for healing. In fact, honey was used to treat open wounds, burns, & cuts in ancient Egypt and Greece. Wounded soldiers during the U.S. Civil War were also treated with honey. Amazing what "mother nature" has given us.

[Islander]

And a shame that Pharma has induced a great forgetting in us. Honey has a long (safe) history of healing, yet we ritually turn to prescriptions for the same purpose. Silly humans.