Secrets of the Superhuman Food Pyramid: Pros and Cons of Organic Maple Syrup

Organic maple syrup is another alternative sweetener just like honey and it has been used as such for quite some time now. Tapping maple trees for its sweet sap has long been practiced by the indigenous peoples of North America. Then the Europeans came, encountered sweet liquid for the first time, and adopted the method.

Most maple syrup is more or less organic in the sense that one hardly needs to use petrochemical fertilizers and pesticides to maintain the mature maple trees that are tapped. Of course those who truly practice organic agriculture will strictly adhere to the guidelines set by relevant certification agencies. This may include among other things refraining from adding artificial ingredients and using only safe materials during the whole process from extraction to bottling.

Organic maple syrup is mostly composed of sucrose (around 60%) which makes it almost like ordinary table sugar and necessitates judicious use. However it still does offer some amount of beneficial minerals which is why it belongs in the moderate section of the Superhuman Food Pyramid.

Find out what health benefits and risks come with organic maple syrup.

Organic Maple Syrup Benefits:

Despite the fact that maple syrup contains a lot of sucrose, there has been research that shows it can still be quite safe or even beneficial for those with Type 2 diabetes. This is due to the natural phenols that are also found in the syrup. These substances have been revealed to have antioxidant properties. Maple syrup phenols in particular seem to inhibit two types of enzymes that are associated with occurrence of the said illness.

The trace minerals found in maple syrup are zinc and manganese and these are compounds that significantly contribute to your immune system. A deficiency in zinc for example may lead to a lower count of white blood cells. Manganese meanwhile is an important component of an enzyme called superoxide dismutase which inhibits free radicals. This mineral thus boosts your body’s antioxidant defense.

Zinc is also closely related to male reproductive health. The trace mineral is highly concentrated in the prostrate and low levels have been known to increase the risk of prostrate cancer.

Organic Maple Syrup Risks:

Sucrose in and of itself is not a dangerous substance. Sugars after all are important carbohydrate fuel that your body needs to burn especially during intense physical activity. Excessive use is what actually causes the problem. Given the composition of organic maple syrup, moderate use of this sweetener is likely the prudent choice to make.

The syrup is comparatively safer as it has a lower glycemic index of 54. The presence of natural phenols can also be a mitigating factor. Nevertheless if you already have higher than normal blood sugar you need to consult with a medical professional on how to safely add maple syrup to your diet.

Organic Maple Syrup Practical Uses:

Take note that maple syrup comes in several classifications based on color and flavor. Those classified as Grade A’s have a range of light amber colors and have a more subtle taste. Grade B on the other hand is the darkest and has the strongest maple flavor of all the types. Be aware of these differences when you decide to use maple syrup in your cooking or baking. Most experts recommend that 3/4 cup of maple syrup is the acceptable equivalent of 1 cup of regular sugar.

Organic maple syrup by itself is rarely used directly for therapeutic purposes but it can be the base liquid of a syrupy herbal remedy you decide to concoct. Let’s say you decide to juice some ginger and finely chop some garlic to treat a chronic cough. You can mix them in adequately proportional amounts of maple syrup to make the home-made medicine sweeter and easier to swallow.

In the next post, I’ll tell you about the pros and cons of natural fruit sweeteners and how it should be used in moderation in your quest to Become Superhuman.

In the meantime, if you care to jump ahead, here is a complete listing of the herbs, spices and sweeteners on Superhuman Food Pyramid:

Eat

• Cinnamon

• Cloves

• All-spice

• Stevia

• Xylitol

• Maltitol

• Turmeric

• Curry

• Cumin

• Fennel

• Star Anise

• Garlic

• Ginger

Moderate

• Raw, Pollinated Honey

• Organic Maple Syrup

• Natural Fruit Sweeteners

• Blackstrap Molasses

• Sucanat

• Truvia

• Regular Table Salt

• Red Pepper

• Black Pepper

• Fermented Soy Sauce

• Apple Cider Vinegar

• Brewer’s Yeast

Avoid

• Processed Sugar

• Candy

• High Fructose Corn Syrup

• Regular Honey

• Agave Syrup

• Aspartame

• Sucralose

• Acesulfame

• MSG

If you have questions, comments or feedback about the pros and cons of organic maple syrup, the Superhuman Food Pyramid, this website, or other aspects of Becoming Superhuman, then leave your thoughts below, as well as any tips you have on the pros and cons of organic maple syrup.