Reasons to Use Coconut Palm Sugar as a Sugar Substitute

For those looking to cut their calories or control blood sugar, sugar substitutes can be very appealing. Coconut sugar has gained attention as being a low-carb sugar substitute that is more nutritious than typical granulated sugar. 

The coconut sugar is derived from the sap of coconut palm tree, which circulates through the tree in a similar way to maple syrup. To harvest the sap, farmers cut into the flower-bud stem of the coconut palm tree to allow the nectar to flow out. The sap is them mixed with water and boiled down to a syrup. Producers make granulated coconut sugar by living the nectar to dry and crystallize. They then break the dried chunks apart, creating the granules people are used to. 

When you compare the sugar from coconut and sugar cane, both have a similar look and feel, but coconut sugar has more natural variants, such as dark or light granules or fluctuations in granule size. Although coconut sugar may be more expensive than regular sugar, it is worth since it yields some tremendous benefits that make it a much better choice than many other sweeter option. 

It is More Nutritious 

Coconut sugar is much more nutritious than cane sugar and other sweeteners. Since coconut sugar is unrefined and less processed, it retains nutrients that are present in the palm flowers it is harvest from. These nutrients include calcium, zinc, iron. potassium, and numerous vitamins and antioxidants. 

It Has a Low Glycemic Index

When you analyze the sugar made from coconut and sugar cane, coconut palm sugar has a low glycemic index of 35. This is due to its long chain saccharides called sucrose, which is absorbed much more slowly than the refined short-chain saccharides in table sugar. Coconut palm sugar also contains inulin. a substance that helps to slow glucose absorption in the body. Slower absorption leads to fewer and smaller spikes in blood sugar. 

It is a Low Carb Sugar

In addition to being nutritious, coconut palm sugar is also a low carb sugar substitute. But you should understand that is is not a magic substance that allows you to eat as much sugar as you want. All types of sugar need to be limited to good over-all nutrition and this is especially important if you have diabetes or other condition that require you to watch your insulin levels. 

It is Easy to Use

Coconut palm sugar has the same basic chemical makeup of table sugar, so it can be used in a one-to-one ratio for all your recipes without any alterations. Although coconut palm sugar recipes do sometimes mention the taste of coconut to emphasize the use of the product, your usual recipe likely won't taste any different than when you use brown sugar.