Are There Any Health Benefits to Coconut Sugar?

Coconut sugar, also known as coconut palm sugar, is made from the sap of the coconut palm tree, not the fruit of the coconut palm tree.

Coconut palm sap is harvested by cutting into the tree’s flower-bud stem to gain access to the nectar. The sap is mixed with water, boiled into a syrup, and then dried and crystallized. They next break up the dried sap into sugar granules that look like conventional table or cane sugar.

Because it is plant-based and lightly processed, coconut sugar is a favorite sweetener in many vegan diets. Some people believe that coconut sugar is more healthful than conventional table sugar because it is a plant-based, natural sweetener. In terms of nutrition and calories, coconut sugar is nearly equal to conventional cane sugar.

Nutrition Information

Many minerals contained in the coconut palm are retained in coconut sugar, primarily iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium. These nutrients can help the body in a variety of ways, but there aren’t enough of them in coconut sugar per serving to provide a substantial benefit. Inulin, a soluble fiber found in coconut sugar, has been related to a lower risk of blood sugar rises.

One teaspoon of coconut sugar contains:

• 18 calories
• 0 grams of protein
• 0 grams of fat
• 5 grams of carbohydrates
• 0 grams of fiber
• 5 grams of sugar

Potential Health Benefits of Coconut Sugar

Coconut sugar has a few health benefits, but it is largely a sweetener with little nutritional value.

Still, it’s possible:

Low blood sugar should be avoided at all costs. Glucose is the body’s primary source of energy. Coconut sugar, like brown sugar and cane sugar, can help raise blood glucose levels and avoid low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia.

You may feel hungry, unsteady, sweating, dizzy, or queasy if you have hypoglycemia. It can also cause coma and seizures. Coconut sugar is an excellent alternative if you’re looking for a natural, plant-based sweetener to keep your blood glucose and energy levels stable.

Blood sugar levels are less likely to increase. Coconut sugar has a modest quantity of inulin per serving, a form of soluble fiber that can help prevent blood sugar increases after meals. People with diabetes may benefit from foods that contain inulin.