Coconut Sugar - A low GI sugar rich in amino acids and B vitamins.

 Coconut sugar which is called also coconut sap sugar, is a sugar derived from the sap of coconut tree flowers. In Southeast Asia where coconut trees flourish coconut sugar had been incorporated as a traditional sweetener. This type of sugar is consisted of sucrose which is responsible for the sweet and the caramel like flavour. One of the important features of coconut sugar is that there is minimum application of processing thus the majority of minerals remain in the sugar. As a sugar it can be an effective substitute to white and brown sugar. 

Health Benefits of Coconut Sugar:

• Suitable for diabetics: The glycemic index score of coconut sugar which is 35, is similar to this one of the fruit and vegetables. Thus the effect of sugar in the blood sugar levels is insignificant. Other types of sugars can contain high glycemic index such as maple syrup and honey which account for 69 and more and refined sugars up to 90.

Coconut Sugar: ''Low Glycemic-High Nutrient''

• Rich in amino acids: Coconut sugar does not undergo processing so the 16 amino acids that are found originally in the sap remain. 100 grams of coconut sugar provide with 34.2 grams of glutamic acid, 11.2 grams of aspartic acid, 15.4 grams of threonine and 8.2 grams of serine. The role of these amino acids is critical as they are essential for cell growth and repair, metabolic function along with hormone production. 

• B vitamin complex: Coconut sap is rich in vitamins and particularly it contains 12 of the essential B vitamins with inositol being the prevalent. Inositol is applied for the treatment of anxiety and sadness. Coconut sugar is also high in thiamin, riboflavin, folic acid, choline, pyridoxal, para-amino benzoic acid, pantothenic acid and nicotinic acid. 

• Excellent source of trace minerals: A teaspoon of coconut sugar provides with significant amounts of trace minerals found in refined sugar. Phosphorus that is important for bone growth and kidney function,  potassium that reduces hypertension, nitrogen that is effective towards cardiovascular diseases and magnesium that stimulates the brain are minerals that are found abundant in the coconut sugar. 

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