By Ozren Podnar |
Coconut Sugar for Slim and Healthy Body |
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Coconut sugar, also referred to as palm sugar, is the one of the most popular sweeteners in cookery.
This is so not only because it is delicious but because it is widely used and considered healthier than other sweeteners.
Coconut sugar has been used as a traditional sweetener for thousands of years in South and South-East Asia.
Today it is very popular in Indonesia and it is becoming more present in other places around the world.
Exploitation of coconut tree for the purpose of extracting sugar does not damage the tree and does not affect its ability of producing other coconut products.
A Wealth of Nutrients
Coconut sugar is made from nectar collected from cutting the coconut plant flower.
The best coconut sugar is made by the process of coconut plant’s juice evaporation. By the process of evaporation the juice is transformed into crystals.
The process of evaporation is carried at the temperature of about 40 degrees and it lasts for an hour or two. Due to low temperature enzymes, vitamins and minerals remain intact.
On the other hand, xylitol and agave nectar fulfil the criteria of low glycemic index, but they are highly refined.
Stevia and brown rice syrup are better options, but they also have a specific taste which is not suitable for everyone.
Coconut sugar has a pleasant taste that is similar to regular sugar but it is healthier.
It is made from flower bud’s nectar coming from coconut plant and it is a source of various minerals, vitamin C, vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B6 and few amino acids.
It contains two times more iron, four times more magnesium and ten times more zinc then brown sugar which is considered healthier than white sugar.
Coconut sugar helps in fighting overweight problems because it regulates the levels of cholesterol in the blood, moderates appetite and reduces the feeling of hunger.
It is an excellent ingredient for healthy and balanced nutrition.
Ideal Ingredient for Diabetics
Coconut sugar is suitable for diabetics because it has a low glycemic index.
Sweeteners made from sugar cane can burden the pancreas because of their high glycemic index.
Even maple syrup has a higher glycemic index when compared to coconut sugar.
Glycemic index (GI) shows how fast blood sugar increases after consuming certain type of food.
High GI means that the body quickly absorbs food by increasing the levels of sugar in the blood which causes pancreas to produce high amounts of insulin.
Low GI refers to food that absorbs much slower which prevents the production of insulin in levels that might damage health.
Here you can find glycemic index table of various popular sweeteners available in the market. Please note that high GI means quicker increase of sugar in the blood.
Comparison of coconut sugar with other sweeteners according to GI (Glycemic index):
| Stevia | 0 |
| Xylitol | 7 |
| Agave | 15-30 |
| Brown Rice Syrup | 12 |
| Coconut Sugar | 30 |
| Raw Honey | 35-58 |
| Sucanat | 43 |
| Organic Sugar | 47 |
| Maple Syrup | 54 |
| Blackstrap Molasses | 54 |
| Sugar Cane Juice | 55 |
| Raw Sugar | 65 |
| Corn Syrup | 75 |
| White Sugar | 80 |
| High Fructose Corn Syrup | 87 |
| Glucose | 100 |
How to Use Coconut Sugar
You can use coconut sugar daily as a complete substitute for regular sugar.
Its taste is more like brown sugar than coconut flour and therefore it does not drastically change the meal’s flavor.
Coconut sugar can also often substitute cane sugar.
It can be added to green smoothies, cold and hot drinks, various desserts, cereals and fruit salads.
It is also excellent for mitigating spicy dishes.
Here are a few inspirational ways on how to use coconut sugar in your kitchen this season.
1. Coconut Coffee Creamer
Estimated preparation time is 3 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 1 can of coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon of coconut palm sugar
- 1 tablespoon of vanilla powder
- 1 tablespoon of Ceylon cinnamon
Preparation:
- Mix all ingredients in a bowel.
- Put the top cover on a bowl and shake.
- Store in a fridge.
2. Chocolate Frappe
Chocolate frappe is easy to make and is one of the favorite sweet drinks of many people.
It also contains high-quality ingredients that have a beneficial effect on your body such as coconut sugar, cocoa butter and cocoa powder.
These ingredients will provide you with necessary amounts of energy.
Ingredients for 1 person:
- 1 cup of almond milk
- 1 big frozen banana
- 2 tablespoons of coconut sugar
- 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon of melted cocoa butter
- 2 tablespoons of cocoa beans
Preparation:
Defrost the bananas and melt the cocoa butter on steam. Put all the listed ingredients into a blender and blend until you get a creamy frappe.
3. Lip Scrub
Some cosmetic products contain coconut sugar because it cleanses the skin surface and removes dead skin cells. You can make your own homemade coconut sugar peeling for lips.
Estimated preparation time is 2 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon of raw coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon of coconut palm sugar
- 1 teaspoon of honey from small jar
Preparation:
- Pour all the ingredients in a small bowl and stir.
- Transfer the mixture into a glass jar.
- Rub the mixture on your lips to remove dead cells.
Where to buy?
Quality organic coconut palm sugar can be found in Alternativa Webshop.
Sources used for writing this article include:
http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/
http://www.thekitchn.com/
http://www.authoritynutrition.com/
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