Is coconut sugar really good? (Coconut Sugar) Let's find out the truth!

Nowadays, many people are reducing their consumption of white sugar and looking for other "healthier" alternatives instead, aren't they? When you go to the store, you can see different types of sugar labeled 'natural' and 'organic'. Among these, "coconut sugar" is something that has caught the attention of many people. When we see the beautiful appearance of the package and the word "natural", we also think, "Ah... this must be good for the body." But is that really the story? Let's find out exactly what is inside this coconut sugar today.

First, let's see, what is coconut sugar?

Although it is called 'coconut sugar', coconuts are not used to make it. It is made from the nectar or sap obtained from the flower-bud stem of the coconut tree. To be precise, it is somewhat similar to the method of making Kitul honey in our country.

Manufacturers cut the coconut blossom and collect the nectar that is released from it. Then, this nectar is mixed with water, heated well, and made into a syrup. Finally, this syrup is allowed to dry, and after it has cooled, it is ground into powder to make the brown coconut sugar cubes that we buy in stores. Since it is a plant-based product and is made with minimal processing, it is very popular, especially among those who follow a vegan diet.

How about from a nutritional perspective?

Many people think that coconut sugar is more nutritious than white sugar. In fact, coconut sugar contains very small amounts of nutrients found in coconuts, such as iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium.

But the biggest problem here is that these nutrients are contained in very small amounts. Imagine, if you want to get any noticeable benefits from these nutrients, you would have to eat several cups of coconut sugar at once. If you do that, the harm from the calories added to the body from the sugar is much greater than the small benefit from those nutrients.

Another thing that coconut sugar contains is a type of soluble fiber called `inulin` . There is a belief that this can help control blood sugar spikes to some extent. Let's talk about that further.

Now let's compare the nutritional values ​​of coconut sugar and regular white sugar in a table.

You see, right? There really isn't much difference between the two in terms of calories and sugar content.

So is there no benefit to coconut sugar?

There are several benefits being discussed, but we need to look at them critically.

1. Preventing low blood sugar levels

Our body's main source of energy is glucose. Sometimes, especially in people with diabetes, blood sugar levels can drop dangerously low. We call this condition hypoglycemia . Symptoms include shakiness, sweating, dizziness, and nausea. If this becomes severe, it can lead to seizures or loss of consciousness.

At times like these, coconut sugar can help to quickly raise blood sugar levels. But remember, this same thing happens with regular white sugar, cane sugar, and beet sugar. So this is not a special benefit unique to coconut sugar.

2. Ability to reduce sudden spikes in blood sugar

Coconut sugar contains a small amount of the type of fiber called `inulin` that we talked about earlier. Because of this type of fiber, the sudden rapid increase in blood sugar levels after eating (`blood sugar spike`) can be controlled to some extent. Although this may seem like a small advantage for someone with diabetes, it does not mean that it is good to eat coconut sugar in large quantities. Because the amount of sugar in it will eventually increase blood sugar levels.

What are the risks of coconut sugar?

The main risk is that we are deceived into thinking it is "healthy" and are tempted to consume too much.

Just because you add a teaspoon of coconut sugar to your tea instead of a teaspoon of white sugar, the amount of calories entering your body will not decrease. Therefore, if you switch to coconut sugar with the intention of controlling your weight, you cannot expect great results from it. Even if you are a diabetic, if you use coconut sugar, you should do it very carefully within your daily sugar limit. It is best to talk to your doctor before making such a change to your diet.

So what are good alternatives to sugar?

If you're concerned about the amount of added sugar, but still want to add sweetness to your meals and drinks, fruit is the best option.

• If you're eating oats: Mash a ripe banana and add it to the mixture.
• If you drink tea: Get used to drinking it without any sweetener. If that's not possible, add a piece of cinnamon bark to change the flavor.
• When drinking water: Instead of adding a little fruit juice, add some fresh fruit slices (lemon, orange, tangerine) to flavor it.
• Other natural flavorings: Things like vanilla, cinnamon bark , and cocoa powder (unsweetened) can be added to foods.

Coconut sugar, sugar, diabetes, nutrition, healthy food, sugar alternatives