Health benefits of maple syrup

Maple syrup boasts a whole range of health benefits which actually make it the perfect year-round sweet treat and not just for Pancake Day.

According to Bob Clark, founder of the UK's leading maple syrup producer Clarks, the pure product which is made from the boiled sap of the Canadian maple tree, truly justifies its ‘super food’ status, ranking it right alongside the more traditionally listed foods which have massively increased in profile as a result - broccoli and blueberries being just two well-known examples.

“Maple syrup is a fabulous product and one that really deserves more of a mention when it comes to the positive impact it can have on everyday health and wellbeing,” says Bob.

“The syrup is an excellent source of the mineral manganese – important in the production of energy within the body, and bearing excellent antioxidant and healing properties.

“It also contains zinc, which again acts as an antioxidant and helps to boost the immune system (particularly in children), protect a healthy heart and limit the damage caused by ‘bad’ cholesterol.  Zinc deficiency has been shown to have a negative impact on white blood cell numbers and therefore the function of the immune system itself.

“There is evidence to suggest that maple syrup may help to support reproductive health and for men specifically, help lower the risk of developing prostate cancer – again because of its high zinc content.  Zinc is found in higher levels in the prostate than any other area of the body and low levels equate to a higher risk of developing the disease.”

If those are not enough reasons to sample some syrup, other research has suggested that the properties associated with it may help in the management of certain types of diabetes (Type 2 specifically); that it can aid digestion and prevent the stomach irritation sometimes caused by processed sweeteners; and provide an excellent source of a number of key nutrients including iron, calcium for strong teeth and bones and potassium.

All this goodness but far fewer of the calories associated with similar products as maple syrup contains just 52 calories per tablespoon – a lot less than the equivalent amount of honey or sugar!

For all its clear health benefits, maple syrup is also a very versatile ingredient.

There are numerous ways to incorporate it into a whole host of recipes – poured over roasting vegetables – particularly good for parsnips and carrots – over crispy cured bacon to really bring out the flavour, as a dressing for salmon or simply as a sugar replacement over breakfast cereal.
 
“Maple syrup is an extremely natural choice for a healthy lifestyle,” continues Bob.

“What we are attempting to do is encourage people to see its potential – both in terms of their health and also the whole range of interesting flavours that can be created by matching it with foods you may never have thought of – no kitchen cupboard should be without it!”


Fast Facts:

• Canada is the biggest producer of maple syrup in the world – producing over 30 million litres every year – 80% of the world’s production.

• Maple syrup comes from the boiled sap of the maple tree.  The sweet sap is created by the tree in winter to protect roots during the colder months.  As temperatures rise in spring, the sweet water-like substance flows up into the trunk.

• Sap is collected through a network of pipes which flow back to what is known as a ‘sugar shack’ where sap is boiled.

• It takes 4000 grams of sap to make 100 grams of pure maple syrup