The product is produced mainly in Canada. And, of course, Canadians simply adore their national delicacy. Use it with pancakes, fruits, fresh vegetables and a filling. And it is made from sugar maple sap by evaporation. To get at least a liter of product, you will have to send up to 50 liters of juice for processing. In color, it can turn out amber, dark and even light. It should be stored in a dark and fairly cool room.
History of appearance
There are many varieties of maple. And only a few of them can be used to produce maple syrup. This product was first mentioned in ancient books dating back to 1760.
They are talking about maple trees that grow in Canada. That it produces a refreshing juice suitable for sugar production. But at the same time with this same information, there is a statement that long before the discovery of the American continent, the indigenous Indians used maple sap.
But in the 18th century, changes occurred in sugar production: they began to grow sugar cane in large quantities, from which it is easier and of course cheaper to produce sugar. Nevertheless, this maple syrup continues to be made, although in small quantities, and not only in Canada.
Back in the USSR, research was carried out on the production of a similar product from Norway maple, which grows in Leningrad region, in the Republic of Tatarstan and Bashkiria.
Maple syrup - what and how is it made from in Canada?
Real maple syrup is made in Canada. This product, like the tree itself, are symbols of this country and several other states in the United States. Maple Leaf used as a national emblem, probably everyone has seen the image of a leaf on the uniform of the Canadian hockey team.
Maple for real syrup grows only in America, or rather in its northern part. The sap was originally collected and used by the continent's indigenous people. A little later, European settlers joined them, and they began to actively improve methods of extracting and processing the product.
But not a single gram of granulated sugar was used in production, and this continues to this day. On average, 40 liters of sap can make 1 liter of maple syrup.
Currently, 80 percent of the syrup is produced in the province of Quebec, which is located in Canada. Exports of this product amount to more than $145 million per year. Conventionally, syrup can be divided into an American product and a traditionally Canadian one. By the way, special supervision by the state has been established over the authenticity of the latter.
Maple sap is collected by yourself in early spring, that is, the collection begins at the end of January and ends in April. This period is conventionally called the “crying of plants.” We can observe the same period in our country in the example of birches, white and Norway maples.
Harvesting begins during the period of bud swelling, when daytime temperatures rise above zero and drop below zero at night. It is at this time that the maple gives off a large amount of sweet sap.
But, and the most best time occurs in March, when the maple produces its sweetest sap. To collect raw materials in the maple trunk, you need to drill a hole of small depth from 2 to 5 cm, with a diameter of about 1.5 cm. Then insert a special tube into the hole, through which the juice will flow into the placed containers.
After which the resulting liquid is evaporated, it thickens and turns into syrup. The product is evaporated on flat and fairly large surfaces, which are heated to a certain temperature.
How sweets are made in Russia
In our country, syrup is produced in the Leningrad region. The manufacturing method is not at all different from the Canadian version. Raw materials are extracted from maples growing in Russia.
In total, we have about 25 varieties: holly, Tatarian, Manchurian, yellow, white, green-winged, light, field, etc. From the sap of these trees, raw materials for the Russian product are obtained.
Benefits and harms
Perhaps no other syrup has been devoted to so many articles. None causes so much controversy about its usefulness and perceived harm. After all, it is a healthy alternative to regular sugar and jam.
According to experts, the product is healthy, just like natural honey, but it has an obvious advantage - it contains less sweetness, and therefore less sugar. The maple product boasts a set of vitamins, minerals, magnesium, calcium, iron, sodium, phosphorus, and antioxidants.
Entire articles are devoted to the medicinal properties of this product, and modern doctors recommend it as effective remedy for the prevention of many diseases. Such as atherosclerosis, liver and pancreas diseases, metabolic disorders and heart problems.
It is no coincidence that maple syrup is so actively used all over the world. It is really useful for all people, except for allergy sufferers and those on a diet. No other harmful effects on the body have been identified.
Use in cooking
For Canadians, maple syrup is a special source of pride. It is eaten with baked goods, ice cream, waffles, cheese cakes, pancakes, fruit salads, with any desserts, used in the preparation of various sauces, main courses, in cooking instead of sugar, and made into delicious lollipops and sweets.
By the way, the product can be used not only in cooking, but also for medical purposes to prevent tumors and improve immunity.
Price, what to replace syrup with
The syrup is commonly found in American-style recipes. If you really want to cook it, but don’t have maple syrup, then you can completely replace it with natural honey. If you have some liquid May acacia honey that is never candied, that would be great.
The second replacement option is, of course, less interesting, but also quite appropriate. This is pear jam syrup.
Homemade recipe
If you really want to make maple syrup yourself, then no problem. Extract maple sap from Norway maple, of course, only in early spring, when the air is just starting to warm up.
Select an old maple tree, drill a hole or make a small recess, install a triangular trough in it, and place a container under it to collect the liquid.
To prepare the delicacy, pour the collected juice into a saucepan, then place it on high heat to evaporate. For example, three liters of liquid will evaporate for at least 1.5 hours. When the excess water evaporates, what remains is what you need - a thick syrup.
Beneficial features
Scientists say that maple syrup can be called a superfood, like blueberries or tea leaves. It contains 54 useful substances that keep the body healthy. By the way, five of these components are absolutely unique and cannot be found anywhere else.
In addition, this product does not raise blood sugar, unlike other sweet foods. It also contains a group of polyphenols, which belong to the group of powerful antioxidants.
Another substance was found in the product, which was named “Quebecol” in honor of the province where it is made; thanks to this substance, according to doctors, the problem can be solved diabetes mellitus.
The syrup is rich in potassium, magnesium and zinc. By the way, it contains more of the latter than honey. It is interesting to know that this particular microelement is needed for the growth of “tails” in male reproductive cells; thanks to these tails, sperm move, and men can have a child.
Most people consume a lot of sugar—probably more than they actually need. Maple syrup is considered to be one of the sweeteners you should use in small quantities and a good alternative to refined (table) sugar when used in moderation.
Similar to the difference between whole and refined grains, unrefined natural sweeteners such as maple syrup contain more high levels beneficial nutrients, antioxidants and phytochemicals than white table sugar or high fructose corn syrup. This is why we see many health benefits from eating natural raw honey. When used in appropriate amounts, the benefits of consuming maple syrup may include the ability to reduce inflammation, provide nutrients to the body, and better control blood sugar levels.
Maple tree syrup, or more accurately, sap, has been used for centuries. In fact, syrup was made from the sap of various maple trees long before the first European settlers arrived in America. Native Americans had theories about the nutritional value of maple syrup even in those ancient times, and the sweetener had cultural significance to many native tribes. They even celebrated the “Sugar Moon” (the first full moon of spring) with the “Maple Dance” and viewed maple sap as a source of energy and nutrition.
What are the beneficial properties of maple syrup?
Compared to refined sugar, which contains absolutely no nutrients, maple syrup contains some important antioxidants and minerals, such as zinc and manganese. When we do a nutritional comparison between sugar and maple syrup, we see that they have a few things in common, but also some things that definitely make maple syrup a more interesting choice.
What makes maple syrup better than regular sugar?
They are both about two-thirds sucrose, but maple syrup provides the body less with sugar and more with nutrients. Maple syrup has a glycemic index of about 54, compared to sugar's glycemic index of about 70. This means that one of the benefits of consuming maple syrup is that it affects your blood sugar a little less dramatically than regular table syrup. sugar. Maple syrup also supplies the body with some micronutrients and antioxidants, while sugar contains neither.
Another factor that makes these two sweeteners very different is how they are made. Maple syrup is made from the sap of maple trees. Unlike refined sugar, which is produced through a long, complex process, maple syrup is a relatively more natural, unrefined product. And, as you probably know, high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners, like refined sugar, are not natural or healthy foods.
For example, stems sugar cane and sugar beets are mechanically harvested, cleaned, washed, crushed, extracted, squeezed, filtered, clarified and condensed - all before sugar crystals are produced from these products!
Nutritional value and composition of maple syrup
1 tablespoon maple syrup contains approximately:
- 0.7 milligrams manganese (33% of the recommended daily intake, or RDI);
- 0.8 milligrams zinc (6% RDI);
- 13.4 milligrams calcium (1% RDI);
- 40.8 milligrams potassium (1% RDI);
- 0.2 milligrams iron (1% RDI);
- 2.8 milligrams magnesium (1% RDI).
Various Brands of Maple Syrup
There are several different "grades" of maple syrup, depending on color. Exact way their classification may vary in different countries.
In the United States, maple syrup is classified as either Grade A or Grade B.
- Class A is divided into 3 groups: light amber, medium amber and dark amber.
- Class B the darkest of all.
The main difference between the two is that dark syrups are made from sap that is extracted during the harvest season. Dark syrups have a stronger maple flavor and are typically used for baking or cooking, while lighter ones are used more like syrups, such as drizzled over pancakes.
Plus, dark varieties of maple syrup contain more antioxidants and nutrients.
If you are going to buy maple syrup, choose the natural product as there are maple flavored syrups on the market that may contain refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup.
Benefits of maple syrup
Eating maple syrup benefits human health. Here are 9 beneficial properties of this amazing product:
1. Contains many antioxidants
Studies comparing the total antioxidant content of natural sweeteners and refined sugar-containing foods, such as white sugar or corn syrup, have found significant differences. Refined sugar, corn syrup, and agave nectar contain minimal amounts of antioxidants, but maple syrup, dark and black molasses (molasses), brown sugar, and raw honey show higher antioxidant capacity.
The nutritional value of maple syrup is impressive when it comes to the presence of protective antioxidants. Medical journal Pharmaceutical Biology showed that pure maple syrup contains up to 24 different antioxidants. These antioxidants, in the form of phenolic compounds, are useful in reducing damage caused by free radicals, which can cause inflammation and contribute to various chronic diseases. Whenever possible, choose darker "B" maple syrups as they contain more beneficial antioxidants than lighter syrups.
Some of the main antioxidants found in maple syrup include:
- benzoic acid
- gallic acid
- cinnamic acid
Maple syrup also contains various flavanols, such as:
- catechin
- epicatechin
- routine
- quercetin
While most are found in low concentrations, others are present in large quantities, so it is possible that the beneficial effect of these antioxidants may exceed negative impact large quantity sugar present in the syrup.
2. Has a lower glycemic index
Refined sugar and refined carbohydrates are known to be rapidly metabolized by the liver, causing a spike in blood sugar levels and then a rapid decline. Worse yet, consuming too much sugar quickly raises blood sugar levels and increases insulin levels, which over time can lead to decreased insulin response, problems controlling blood glucose levels, and the development of diabetes.
However, keep in mind that since consuming too much sugar from any source is one of the main causes of some of the most common health problems (such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease), even natural sweeteners such as maple syrup should be used in small quantities. When it comes to treating diabetes naturally, or other sugar-related diseases, it is best to reduce your sugar intake in general and especially avoid refined sugar.
3. Fights inflammatory diseases
Because maple syrup supplies the body with inflammation-reducing antioxidant polyphenols, it can be considered part of a healthy diet that helps prevent certain conditions such as arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or of cardio-vascular system. The plant compounds in maple syrup reduce oxidative stress, which is responsible for faster aging of the body and a decrease in the strength of our immune system.
4. May Help Protect Against Cancer
5. Helps Protect Skin Health
The benefits of maple syrup extend to skin health. Many people use maple syrup topically by applying it directly to their skin. Like raw honey, maple syrup may help reduce skin inflammation, redness, blemishes, and dryness. Combined with raw milk or yogurt, oatmeal and raw honey, this natural mixture is applied to the skin as this mask can hydrate the skin while reducing bacteria and signs of irritation.
6. Alternative to sugar to improve digestion
Consuming large amounts of refined sugar can contribute to the development of candidiasis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), leaky gut syndrome, and other digestive system disorders. In fact, one of the biggest steps you can take to heal leaky gut and autoimmune diseases is to reduce your intake of refined sugar and consume small amounts of natural sweeteners.
Most artificial sweeteners also cause symptoms of indigestion, including flatulence, bloating, colic, and constipation. To keep your digestive tract healthy and protected from the damaging effects of chemicals and sugar, maple syrup can be a much better alternative to add to baked goods, yogurt, oatmeal, or smoothies.
7. Provides important vitamins and minerals
In addition to potassium and calcium, maple syrup contains fairly large quantities of zinc and manganese. Zinc can help fight disease and improve immunity as it maintains white blood cell levels, while manganese plays an important role in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, calcium absorption, blood sugar regulation, brain and nerve function.
8. Healthy alternative to artificial sweeteners
If you habitually use artificial sweeteners or dangerous refined sugar products such as sucralose, agave, aspartame or sugar, you should consider switching to consuming maple syrup and natural honey as soon as possible. Although artificial sweeteners are low in calories, their consumption is associated with numerous health problems, including:
- weight gain
- fatigue
- anxiety
- learning difficulties
- short-term memory loss
- and much more
Many pre-existing conditions can worsen over time due to continued use of artificial sweeteners. When it comes to losing weight, their consumption can also hinder the process. There is a high chance of developing an addiction to artificial sweeteners used in many diets or low-calorie foods because they affect your food cravings and your ability to control hunger and satiety.
Maple syrup is not associated with any of these health problems, plus it provides a greater sense of satisfaction due to its naturally sweet flavor.
9. May enhance antibiotic effects
Antibiotics may seem like a quick and easy solution to a range of different diseases, but as new research results are released, it becomes increasingly difficult to ignore the dangers and downsides of using antibiotics. In the process of suppressing harmful pathogens, antibiotics can also attack healthy cells. In addition, overuse of antibiotics leads to the emergence of “superbugs” that no longer respond to antibiotic treatment.
When researcher Natalie Tufenkji and her team tested maple syrup extracts in combination with antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin and Carbenicillin, they observed the same antimicrobial effect but used 90% fewer antibiotics. In other words, maple syrup extract helped the antibiotics work better. How? The researchers found that the extract increased the permeability of bacteria, helping antibiotics penetrate into bacterial cells.
The harm of maple syrup
As previously mentioned, maple syrup can be a good natural sweetener when the serving size is small and it is consumed in combination with other healthy natural foods. While maple syrup contains some nutrients and is healthier than white sugar, it still does not provide the body with the proper amount of important vitamins or minerals compared to others whole foods such as vegetables, fruits and high-quality proteins and fats.
There may be harm from consuming maple syrup if you consume it in excess. This can lead to significant spikes in blood sugar levels, which can lead to hyperglycemia and the development of type 2 diabetes.
As a result, it would be better to think of this product as better alternative sugar, but this does not mean that you should strive to include it in your daily diet. As long as you consume maple syrup in moderation, it shouldn't pose a problem. Just make sure you buy the highest quality available on the market and watch your portion size!
History of maple syrup
Maple syrup is one of the most ancient sweeteners, which was consumed by Native Americans living in North America hundreds of years ago. Maple syrup was first collected and used by indigenous peoples before they introduced it to early European settlers, who quickly improved the technology needed to harvest more of the product.
Maple syrup's natural harvesting method and history as a healing sweetener is another reason why many people today choose maple syrup and natural honey as healthier sweeteners. And even those who follow the paleo diet consume this natural product.
80% of maple syrup today comes from Canada. In the United States, the largest production of maple syrup is in Vermont, where it has been produced for hundreds of years. In fact, some of the large maple trees in Vermont that are still extracted for sap are over 200 years old! Most sap maples are approximately 25-30 cm in diameter and are usually about 40 years old.
How is maple syrup made?
What is maple syrup made from? All plants naturally contain sugar, which is a product of photosynthesis, which occurs when sunlight comes into contact with the leaves of the plant. Sucrose is the most common type of sugar present in maple syrup (at least 66% of the sugar in natural maple syrup is sucrose).
Sugar synthesized in plants is used as an energy source for plant growth and is stored throughout the plant, especially in the roots. In most cases, it is quite difficult to obtain sugar from the roots, stems and leaves of plants without certain mechanical and chemical process(for example, from sugar cane or beets), but in the case of maple sap, it is quite easy to collect.
Then, as spring arrives and temperatures warm, pressure builds up inside the trees, causing sap to flow out of the holes and into the buckets. The buckets are collected by hand and their contents are poured into large tanks where some of the water is evaporated and removed to create a more concentrated syrup. And that's all - the process is very simple. A typical sugar season lasts 4-6 weeks and it takes 40 liters of maple sap to make 1 liter of maple syrup!
Maple syrup - benefits and harms
How to Buy and Use Natural Maple Syrup
To get all these benefits of maple syrup, you need to be careful when purchasing it. Many maple syrups sold in stores are essentially impostors or "flavored" maple syrup sugars, which are highly refined. Check the label carefully for third-party ingredients to ensure that the only ingredient in the product is maple syrup and that it does not contain refined sugar or high fructose corn syrup. It is also wise to buy organic maple syrup whenever possible - this will ensure that the trees are not treated with any chemicals.
All types of maple syrup are classified as either "Grade A" or "Grade B". Both Grade A and Grade B maple syrups can be good choice, as long as they are pure and do not contain preservatives, artificial colors or flavors. The biggest difference is that Grade B syrups are darker in color and more concentrated, so they are typically used for cooking instead of drizzled over foods. Some studies also show that Grade B maple syrup is richer in antioxidants than Grade A maple syrup.
Most store-bought maple syrups are grade A (the lighter type used to sweeten pancakes). There are also several various types Grade A syrups that range in color from light to dark amber. The darker the syrup, the later it was collected and the stronger its flavor.
When using maple syrup instead of table sugar in baked goods, replace the sugar with the same amount of maple syrup, but reduce the amount of liquid the recipe calls for by about half a cup. In cocktails and other drinks, you can simply replace sugar or agave nectar with maple syrup.
Flavored syrup made from juice different varieties maples, served with everything delicious: pancakes and ice cream, waffles and toast. It can also be used in these delicious recipes.
Maple syrup- a traditional Canadian treat made by boiling the sap of sugar maple and black maple trees. From one maple treated in right time year (late winter, early spring), about 4 liters of juice are obtained. Moreover, this does not harm the tree. This has long been known to the American Indians, who used their own method to extract syrup from maple trees.
To collect sap, an incision is made on the trunk, at a height of approximately 20-30 cm from the ground, into which tubes are inserted leading to vessels where the sap, called pasokka, flows. To obtain sweet maple syrup or sugar, which instead of sucrose contains more beneficial dextrose and trace elements, the juice is concentrated by evaporation.
No preservatives, dyes, or flavors are added to maple syrup. Unlike usual white sugar, which loses all nutrients during processing, maple syrup retains potassium, calcium and iron. In addition, it is 100% fat-free.
Maple syrup- an essential component of many dishes of Canadian and American cuisine. It has a very pleasant aroma and taste, and is best served with waffles, ice cream,
It’s very tasty to flavor muesli with it and serve porridge. It's delicious to make maple milk by mixing 1 glass of cold milk with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup.
But due to the labor-intensive preparation process and since 40 liters of juice are needed to obtain 4 liters of syrup, the syrup is very expensive and you can find many fakes. For example, cheap corn syrup is sold with minimal maple syrup added for flavor. Of course, it can't compare to real maple syrup. Therefore, you should only buy syrup that has a golden maple leaf on it, a sign of quality and a guarantee that it was produced in North America.
Maple baked apples
Preheat the oven to 170 degrees C. Core 6 apples. Put them in ceramic mold for baking. Mix 6 tbsp raisins, 6 tbsp chopped walnuts and 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon. Fill each hole with 2 tablespoons of mixture. Mix 1/2 cup maple syrup with 1 cup water and pour over apples. Bake for 30 minutes until soft. Drizzle the maple sauce over the apples periodically. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Creamy maple fondue
Heat 100ml pure maple syrup in a saucepan for 5 minutes. In a bowl, mix 2 tsp starch with 2 tsp cream. Bring 600 ml of cream to a boil and add maple syrup. Mix the starch mixture with the syrup. Heat slowly, stirring, until thickened. Serve the fondue in a small saucepan over an alcohol stove.
Toasted maple walnuts
Chop coarsely walnuts and soak them in maple syrup. Spread in one layer on a baking sheet and bake at 180 degrees C for 20 minutes. Let cool before serving.
Maple cookies
Sift 2 cups flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 4 tsp baking powder. Add 4 tbsp margarine and stir. Add 1/2 tbsp milk to make it soft dough. Roll out or knead the dough with your fingers to a thickness of 1 cm. Cut with a mold and spread with softened butter mixed with maple syrup and cinnamon. Bake at 200 degrees C for 15 minutes.
Fruit with sherry and maple syrup
In a bowl, combine 4 cups of peeled and chopped various fruits, pour in a mixture of 1/2 cup maple syrup, 1/2 orange juice and 2 tablespoons of dry sherry. Refrigerate for several hours. Serve with cream whipped with maple syrup.
Chicken baked in maple syrup e
Mix 200g shelled pecans, 75g maple syrup, a pinch of cinnamon and salt with 1 tbsp water, place on parchment paper and bake at 200g C/400F/Gas 6 for 15 minutes. Bake the gutted chicken, weighing 2 kg, for 1.5 hours, and for the last 30 minutes of baking, coat the chicken with the nut mixture and sprinkle with 4 tablespoons of maple syrup. Serve with baked potatoes and onions, small sausages and gravy.
Spiced Pears with Maple Syrup
Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C. Stick a clove into 6 whole peeled pears and place them on their sides in a baking dish. Add 2 cinnamon sticks and sprinkle with 8 crushed cardamom pods. Slowly heat 300ml white wine with 90ml maple syrup and 1 tbsp sugar until the sugar has dissolved, pour over the pears until they are half covered. Cover with foil and bake for about 1 hour, basting with pan juices. Before serving, remove cinnamon, cardamom and cloves.
Apple muffins with maple syrup
Preheat the oven to 170 degrees C. Beat 2 eggs with 100 g butter. Add 225 ml maple syrup and 325 g peeled and finely chopped apples, stir. Sift 675g flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp nutmeg into a bowl. Mix. Divide among 12 muffin tins and bake for 20-25 minutes.
Glazed Maple Carrots
Cut 8 carrots into cubes. Boil until soft. Melt 3 tablespoons butter, add 1/2 cup maple syrup and 1/2 teaspoon ginger. Stew carrots in syrup.
Chicken breasts with maple mustard sauce
Fry in a frying pan until golden brown 2 chicken breasts skinless and pitted, rolled in seasoned flour. Remove the chicken, add 100 g of chopped champignons and 1 chopped green onion to the frying pan and quickly fry. Add 100 g heavy cream, 3 tbsp. maple syrup and 1 tsp Dijon mustard. Stir and cook until the cream has reduced by half. Serve with chicken breasts.
When the average American wants to replenish his body's sweet tooth, he often chooses maple syrup. Scientists claim that this product contains more useful minerals and significantly fewer calories than different varieties honey
Natural maple syrup is a thick, viscous, amber-colored liquid with a distinctive earthy flavor made from the sugar-rich sap of black or red maple trees (acer saccharum). Trees suitable for sweet production grow only in some regions North America: New York, Vermont, Nova Scotia, Quebec, Nebraska.
Fresh maple sap is clear and does not have a distinct taste. The syrup's characteristic aroma, deep amber color and caramel taste appear during the process of boiling the water. The finished product contains 60% sugar or more.
Beneficial features
Maple syrup has received widespread attention not so much for its sweetness, but for the presence of 54 natural antioxidants and valuable minerals such as manganese and zinc. The antioxidants in this wonderful food are similar to those found in tomatoes, berries, red wine, whole wheat and flax seeds.
Just ¼ cup of maple syrup contains more calcium than the same amount of whole milk and a dose of potassium comparable to bananas.
An important advantage of the product over other sweets (including brown sugar, stevia, agave syrup and even honey) is that it contains an extremely low amount of oxalates and purines, so it does not cause food allergies.
The most important health benefits of maple syrup include antibacterial, antidiabetic, anticancer, and cardiac health benefits.
Dessert antioxidants
Manganese is an important cofactor for many human enzymes. It is involved in the body's antioxidant defense against free radicals and energy production. It is necessary for the activity of superoxide dismutase, which counters oxidative stress in almost all cells of the body that come into contact with oxygen.
Please note that just one tablespoon of syrup contains more than 20% of your daily value for manganese.
Diabetic Benefits
As reported by United Press International (UPI), maple syrup may be important in lowering blood glucose levels. This sweet product contains significant concentrations of abscisic acid (ABA), a chemical that stimulates the pancreas to secrete insulin and increases insulin sensitivity in fat cells. It turns out that maple syrup in the future can become a very effective cure for diabetes.
Sweet syrup
Maple syrup can be very effective against progressive atherosclerosis due to its high concentration of zinc. This mineral is essential for the health of the endothelium (the inner lining of blood vessels) and protection against the damaging effects of oxidized fats, particularly cholesterol.
Research by scientists from the Department of Medicine and the University of Turku (Finland) has shown that the endothelium is prone to damage due to zinc deficiency.
Maple sap syrup may provide another heart-healthy service by supplying the body with manganese and several other minerals that affect the levels of “bad” and “good” cholesterol in the blood.
Sweet help for the immune system
Zinc and manganese are important not only for protecting against free radicals and naturally cleansing blood vessels. These are reliable allies of our immune system.
Scientists have noted the relationship between deficiency of zinc and its derivatives and the number of different types of white blood cells in children, including T lymphocytes, macrophages, and B cells.
It turned out that a lack of zinc in the children's body led to a decrease in the number of leukocytes and the effectiveness of the immune response. Whereas the introduction of additional doses of the said mineral into the diet brought immunity back to normal.
Natural sources of manganese, such as maple syrup, have many health benefits. Manganese is not only a component of antioxidant defense, but also a powerful anti-inflammatory agent and a good immunostimulant.
For men's health
Among the many benefits of maple syrup, there is one more that is extremely important for the reproductive health of men. Low levels of zinc in the prostate increase the risk of developing cancer. This mineral is often used by European therapists to reduce the size of this important gland.
Therefore, every man’s diet should contain high doses of zinc, as well as manganese, which is a catalyst for the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol and a participant in the production of sex hormones.
Rules for selection and storage
The quality of maple syrup, according to the official labeling of the Ministry Agriculture USA, is based on three key characteristics: color, taste and concentration. Accordingly, there are three varieties of syrup: light amber, medium amber, dark amber.
The lighter the product, the more subtle aroma he has. Opened bottles should only be stored in the refrigerator.
At the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society in San Francisco in March 2010, assistant professor of biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences Navindra Seeram of the University of Rhode Island gave a passionate speech in favor of maple syrup: “Maple syrup is a unique food in our diet that transfers heat to humans. sun and the healing power of plant juices.”
As you can see, today maple syrup and its potential benefits are literally being studied under a microscope.
Sugar maple syrup has been a symbol of Canada for many years. The country's coat of arms depicts a pointed leaf of a tree from which the sap is extracted. This technology was invented in the 18th century, after the indigenous peoples of America realized that the liquid could sweeten food and significantly improve its taste. The benefits and harms of maple syrup are the subject of debate in North America and beyond.
What is maple syrup made from?
Sugar maple grows in the provinces of Canada. Artificial cultivation is practiced in other countries, but this approach is considered expensive, so traditionally the products are produced in North America.
The tree has a spreading crown and a thick, dense trunk. Wood is actively used for making furniture. The sap is obtained by cutting the bark and collecting the oozing liquid. The syrup is prepared using the boiling method.
Not all types of wood are suitable for cooking. The most common product is obtained from the sugar variety, which has beneficial properties, which saturate the product. Red, black and holly-leaved species are considered suitable.
Industrial collection begins in maple forests in early spring using special plastic tubes.
Interesting! A special commission operates on the territory of the country, which establishes uniform requirements and monitors the quality and changes in product properties.
Appearance and taste of maple syrup
Compositions are classified according to appearance. There are 2 classes of liquid. Class A:
- light amber ( golden color, subtle, barely perceptible odor);
- medium amber (rich amber color, faint woody taste);
- dark amber (liquid dark brown with a recognizable smell and taste).
Class B is a dark brown liquid with a strong odor.
Light varieties have a popcorn flavor, medium varieties resemble caramel, and dark varieties have a distinct maple syrup flavor.
Chemical composition and calorie content of maple syrup
The benefits of maple syrup for the body are determined by the properties of the components of the composition. It contains B vitamins, amino acids and minerals.
The calorie content of 100 g is 260 kcal. Compared to refined sugar, it has a lower glycemic index.
- benzoic acid;
- cinnamic acid;
- linoleic acid;
- catechin.
Sucrose in the liquid reaches 58 g, the presence of fructose is 0.5 g, glucose is 1.6 g.
The highest content is considered to be manganese, zinc and sodium. They have beneficial properties and have a general strengthening effect.
Information! From 40 liters of juice, only 1 liter of concentrate is obtained.
Beneficial properties of maple syrup
The qualities of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals make the concentrate healthier than regular refined sugar. This statement is true if you consume maple syrup in moderation.
Substances that have antioxidant properties are beneficial as protectors of cells from the effects of free radicals. Such mechanisms increase the body's defenses.
The presence of minerals and vitamins makes consumption beneficial for immunity, prevention of skin and colds.
Feature and undoubted health benefits - environmentally friendly composition, without adding impurities or preservatives.
Maple syrup for weight loss
The famous diet, which was described by Peter Glickman in the middle of the last century, was built on the basis of the concentrate. The method is not aimed at actively getting rid of extra pounds, but at removing toxins from the body. Citrus fruits are added to the menu and increase volume clean water. Carbohydrate-containing dishes are completely excluded from the diet.
This diet may be harmful for those with minimal health problems. The load on the liver is characterized by increased production of pancreatic juice, so a one-component diet is contraindicated for people with pancreatic diseases.
Researchers are considering a way to completely replace any sweets with concentrate, but this approach does not lead to rapid weight loss, it only helps control carbohydrate intake.
Is maple syrup safe for pregnant and lactating women?
Experts do not recommend using the syrup for pregnant women. High concentrations of substances can be harmful and have Negative influence on their health. During this period, there are risks of developing diabetic conditions, so it is necessary to exclude concentrated substitutes from the diet.
For nursing mothers, the concentrate has a risk of harm due to possible allergic reactions The child has.
Maple syrup for diabetes
Maple syrup may have benefits and contraindications for diabetes: it all depends on the patient’s condition. Diabetes requires careful analysis of the foods consumed. Type 2 disease is characterized by a relative deficiency of insulin. By replacing other sweets with syrup, blood counts can be stabilized. This property provides benefits to those who are struggling with regular diabetic conditions.
It is not recommended to consume sweets if you have type 1 diabetes, which is characterized by complete absence insulin. Intake of sugars provokes an increase in blood counts, which leads to worsening general condition sick.
How to make maple syrup at home
Making your own maple syrup classic recipe- This is a labor-intensive and costly process. To start cooking, you need to extract maple sap. To do this, drill a hole in the tree and place a container for liquid. This technique is used during the period of sap flow. The cooking principle is evaporation over medium heat.
Information! Boiling takes several hours, and it is necessary to monitor the boiling level.
What is maple syrup used for in cooking?
In Canada, they cannot imagine serving waffles, donuts or pancakes without maple syrup. It is successfully used as a sugar substitute in baking and as a topping for.
When marinating meat and subsequent baking, maple concentrate forms an appetizing glazed crust on its surface.
The use of maple syrup is widespread for making candy and toffee.
It is added as the main sweetener to hot drinks: grog or punch.
Maple syrup is added to hot tea: unlike honey, it is influenced high temperature it does not lose its beneficial properties and does not acquire carcinogenic properties.
How to replace maple syrup in baking
The concentrate can be replaced with sugar and honey: they have similar sweetening properties. To replace with 1 part use:
- ¾ parts sugar;
- 1 part liquid honey.
Substitutes with similar physical properties can be: syrups and agave, pear jam.
Harm of maple syrup and contraindications
You can’t talk about the benefits of syrup without mentioning the harm. Like all foods that contain high amounts of carbohydrates, it may not have beneficial properties if taken in excess. Daily norm for an adult – a few tablespoons.
Consumption may be harmful to those who are hypersensitive to sugar-containing products. People who have problems with blood glucose levels should be careful.
The risk of harm to the body is increased in people suffering from intestinal diseases. The production of enzymes for digesting carbohydrates tends to increase the load on the digestive organs and, above all, on the pancreas.
How to choose maple syrup when purchasing
One of the difficulties of purchasing syrup in stores is the high cost and assortment. Not every supermarket has it in their product list. Inexpensive analogues that indicate the content of maple juice have nothing to do with a quality product.
The presence of dyes or food additives is evidence of the product Low quality, counterfeits of the real thing.
The concentrate is usually sold in glass containers. A special feature of the release in Canada is considered to be special bottles in the shape of a maple leaf.
The color of maple syrup ranges from light amber to dark brown. The shade may vary depending on the variety. The liquid does not form sediment. Bottles must be tightly closed and not damaged.
How to Store Maple Syrup at Home
Maple sap concentrate has a long shelf life.
Sealed syrup is stored for several years at room temperature. After uncorking the bottle, to slow down the evaporation process, it is customary to pour it into Plastic container and then store for an average of 4 months in the refrigerator (the manufacturer places specific information on the label). In this form, it does not freeze and does not lose its beneficial qualities.
Conclusion
The benefits and harms of maple syrup are interrelated concepts. As a sugar substitute, this unique product may be beneficial due to its antioxidant content and lack of impurities. Excessive consumption is contraindicated and is harmful to health due to the high amount of sugars. Using this product in baking, as an additive to desserts, will diversify the diet and give dishes unique tastes.