Last Updated on by San San
Maple syrup is a natural sweetener made from the concentration of maple tree sap. Vermont is the main producer of maple syrup and its preparation begins in early spring when maple trees are tapped and the sap is collected.
The collected material is then cooked down into syrup. This natural sweetener is used all over the world by people of all ages. So, the question arises, “can diabetics eat maple syrup?”
The diet of diabetics is very specific and they have certain restrictions on what they can and should not consume. They should be careful about the number of carbohydrates they eat daily so as not to lead to a situation in which they will have a sharp rise in blood sugar.
Although maple syrup is often recommended to be consumed by the majority of the population due to its nature, does this recommendation also apply when it comes to consuming maple syrup by diabetics?
A definite Answer to the Question, “Can Diabetics Eat Maple Syrup?”
Maple Syrup for Diabetics – Yes, or No?
The answer to this question is definitely no. All nutritionists and experts in the field of nutrition and diabetes agree that diabetics should not consume maple syrup. Many people think that because it is a natural sweetener, they can consume it and make a comparison between ordinary hot water and maple syrup. But the reality is quite different.
Although it is a natural sweetener, diabetics should not use it due to the very high level of sugar that this syrup contains. The harsh reality is that maple syrup is almost pure sugar. Its nutritional value is zero fibre, zero fats, and zero protein, all of which are ingredients that help regulate blood sugar levels.
Considering that maple syrup contains 13 grams of carbohydrates in one tablespoon, and there is no ingredient that regulates the breakdown of blood sugar, it means that maple syrup instantly affects the body of the diabetic and contributes to a rise in blood sugar levels.
Is Maple Syrup Low Glycemic?
One of the ways in which diabetics see if they can consume a certain type of food is the glycemic index. This index is made on a scale from 0 to 100, which represents the relative rise in blood glucose level two hours after consuming that food.
Maple syrup has a mean value of the glycemic index of 54 points on the scale. For comparison, ordinary sugar has a value of 65, so we can conclude that maple syrup has a lower glycemic index than sugar, which means that its sugar is slower in degrading in the body.
So, the answer to the question, “is maple syrup low glycemic?” can be answered by the fact that this syrup has an average value of the glycemic index, but also that it is not safe for diabetics to consume.
Facts About Maple Syrup – True or False?
One of the biggest confusions when it comes to maple syrup is that most people think that just because it is a natural sweetener it would not have any negative impact on the diabetic’s health and blood sugar levels.
We have seen that this part is not correct because maple syrup is a pure sugar that instantly raises the sugar of the diabetic and causes problems in the body.
The second confusion occurs when one does not want to accept the right answer from the first confusion, so continuing to use excuses like “100% pure” maple syrup would not cause any problems.
The truth is that the minimally processed maple syrup is undoubtedly healthier than processed plain sugar or a chemically created sweetener that has countless additives in it. But what we need to understand is that no matter how natural and organic a product is, it does not always mean that it is the best choice for us.
Maple Syrup Substitute for Diabetics – Does It Exist?
If you are a diabetic and a lover of maple syrup, I believe that after the information that this syrup is not good for your health, you plan to start researching and discovering a maple syrup substitute for diabetics.
To save you too much time, here are some products that can be used as a substitute for sugar and maple syrup, and be used as sweeteners for diabetics. At the top of the list of alternatives is stevia.
Stevia is a sweetener that has antioxidant and antidiabetic properties and can suppress plasma glucose levels and significantly increase glucose tolerance.
In the second place, it is what is called tagatose – a sweetener that has not yet been sufficiently researched, but research to date shows that this sweetener may be a potential anti-diabetic and anti-obesity medication.
In the third place, it is date sugar which is made from whole pigs that are dried and then ground. This type of sugar is interesting in that it has calories, but it also has fibre that is intact and through them can cancel out the negative effects that may occur as a consequence after their intake into the body.
The Conclusion
In this fast time of change and time of fast life, we take for granted the saying that everything natural is good for every person, regardless of his illness. But that is not always the case.
Today we asked the question, “can diabetics eat maple syrup?” and we saw that despite the fact that it is a natural sweetener, diabetics should not consume it due to its high level of sugar. But there are solutions to every problem.
So, if you have a sweet tooth and you want to satisfy your need for light intake in your body, then you can use some of the products as a substitute for sugar and maple syrup. That way you will avoid an instant rise in blood sugar after consuming the maple syrup, and at the same time, you will be able to enjoy the mildness of the alternative you have chosen.
