Benefits
The benefit of coconuts surpasses any other yet the importance of using coconut based products was, in the past, unknown and at times misunderstood. New and informative research about coconuts and the health benefits associated with all natural organic coconut products are surfacing. There is a greater understanding and respect for such products and people worldwide are trying to incorporate coconut products into their daily diet as a means of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, there are still misconceptions about coconuts and coconut based products. For example there is a general belief that coconuts cause an increase in bad cholesterol levels. This is quiet contrary to the fact that coconuts aid in the prevention and reduction of LDL “bad” cholesterol levels. Coconuts and coconut based products have been used for many years in countries such as India, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines, particularly in rural, farming and village areas. These individuals not only use coconuts in their daily diet, but also use them for medicinal and personal purposes. They understand the importance of coconuts and the benefit it has on one’s health. Western countries are now catching up to this information and slowly embracing this wonderful nut.
The source of coconut sugar and coconut syrup is from the cut flower buds which are part of the coconut tree. The cut flower bud produces a sweet watery sap (toddy or tuba) which is collected each morning and boiled in huge woks until a sticky sugar remains. At this point the substance becomes coconut syrup or it is left to cool longer thereby becoming solid. It endures a manual process where it is crystallized thereby becoming coconut sugar. Natural Path Entreprise’s Coconut Sugar and Coconut Syrup is 100% natural certified organic, free from additives and artificial flavouring. Both products are ideal for everyday use such as coffee, tea, cooking, and baking. Coconut sugar and Coconut Syrup keeps well when stored in a cool dry place and does not need to be refrigerated. It can be used by anyone of all ages.
A study conducted by the
Philippine Food and Nutrition Research Institute in 2007 demonstrates that coconut sugar contains higher amount of nutrients, vitamins and minerals compared to other alternative sugars or sweeteners. According to the study coconut sugar has greater amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron, vitamin C, amino acids, and micro nutrients. It helps balance blood glucose and insulin levels and lowers LDL cholesterol levels. The test also reveals that coconut sugar has a low Glycemic Index (GI) of 35 compared to cane sugar which has a Glycemic Index of 50. “The GI is a ranking system for carbohydrates based on the immediate effect on blood glucose levels. The higher the number, the greater the blood sugar response.” Diabetics, hypoglycemics and dieters can highly benefit from coconut sugar and coconut syrup since it is of a low Glycemic Index. The
Philippine Food and Nutrition Research Institute recommends that individuals who suffer from health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, hypoglycaemia and obesity must maintain a diet that is low in GI index. Hence it is evident that by using Natural Path Entreprise’s Coconut Sugar and Coconut Syrup on a daily basis, it is beneficial for the health of the individual and will improve their quality of life.
The following is a chart by the
Philippine Food and Nutrition Research Institute which released information about the nutritive values found in Coconut Sugar compared to other types of sugars, sweeteners, and syrups.
| Macro-nutrients (mg / 100gm) |
Coconut Sugar |
Agave Syrup |
Honey |
Maple Syrup |
Brown Sugar |
Refined, White Sugar |
| Nitrogen (N) |
202 |
NA |
NA |
NA |
10 |
0 |
| Phosphorus (P) |
79 |
7 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
| Potassium (K) |
1,030 |
1 |
52 |
234 |
65 |
2.5 |
| Calcium (Ca) |
8 |
1.5 |
6 |
67 |
24 |
6 |
| Magnesium (Mg) |
29 |
1 |
2 |
14 |
7 |
1 |
| Sodium (Na) |
45 |
1 |
4 |
9 |
2 |
1 |
| Chlorine (Cl) |
470 |
NA |
NA |
NA |
16 |
10 |
| Sulfur (S) |
26 |
NA |
NA |
NA |
13 |
2 |
| Boron (B) |
0.6 |
NA |
NA |
NA |
0 |
|
| Zinc (Zn) |
2 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
4.2 |
.2 |
0.1 |
| Manganese (Mn) |
0.1 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
3.3 |
.2 |
0 |
| Iron (Fe) |
2 |
1 |
0.4 |
1.2 |
1.26 |
0.1 |
| Copper (Cu) |
0.23 |
0.1 |
0 |
0.1 |
0 |
0 |
| Thiamine |
0.41 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Vitamin C |
23.4 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Amino Acid and Vitamin Contents of Freshly-gathered Coconut Sap
|
AMINO ACID |
Value (g/10g) |
VITAMIN |
Value (mg/dl) |
| Histidine |
1.19 |
Thiamine (Vit. B1) |
77.0 |
| Arginine |
0.35 |
Riboflavin (Vit. B2) |
12.20 |
| Aspartic Acid* |
11.22 |
Pyridoxine (Vit. B6) |
38.40 |
| Threonline* |
15.36 |
Para-aminobenzoic acid |
47.10 |
| Serine* |
8.24 |
Pyridoxal |
38.40 |
| Glutamic Acid* |
34.20 |
Pantothenic acid (Vit.B5) |
5.20 |
| Proline |
3.52 |
Nicotinic acid (Vit.B3) |
40.60 |
| Glycine |
0.47 |
Biotin (Vit. H) |
0.17 |
| Alanine |
2.56 |
Folic acid (Vit.B9) |
0.24 |
| Valine |
2.11 |
Inositol |
127.70 |
| Methionine |
- |
Choline |
9.0 |
| Isoleucine |
0.38 |
Vitamin B12 |
Trace |
| Leucine |
0.48 |
|
|
| Tyrocine |
0.31 |
|
|
| Phenylalanine |
0.78 |
|
|
References
http://www.sweet-tree.biz/coconutpalmsugarnutritional.html
http://affleap.com/coconut-sugar-the-new-wonder-sugar-for-diabetics/
http://cocopalmsugar.sch.ph/node/14
http://healthmad.com/nutrition/about-organic-coconut-sugar/
