Coconut sugar is claimed to be a natural health sugar, low in carbs and won’t spike your blood sugar levels. And has other great properties including being rich in minerals. Let’s take a closer look at what coconut sugar is and whether it really lives up to its claims.

What is coconut sugar?

The sugar we currently buy in stores (whether it’s a regular grocery store or a health food store) is a form of sugar extracted. From natural plants such as sugarcane, radish root, maple tree nectar ( honey ), and agave plants. Which provide a fairly similar type of sugar (about 16 calories and 4 grams of sugar per teaspoon), including coconut sugar.

Coconut sugar is made from the nectar of coconut buds or flower buds. The coconut buds are cut and the nectar flows out. This nectar is boiled to produce caramelized sugar. That is similar in color to brown sugar. (There is also palm sugar. Which is a similar sugar made from the toddy palm, a palm plant similar to coconut.)

What is the glycemic index of coconut sugar?

The main health issue we are interested in is the claim. That coconut sugar does not raise blood sugar levels as much as other sugars. A widely cited (but removed from the Internet in March 2016) report from the Philippines Food and Nutrition Institute states that the glycemic index of coconut sugar. Compiled by the Philippine Coconut Authority, was 35 out of 10 tested, which is quite low. A similar study by the University of Sydney measured the glycemic index at 54, which is slightly lower than other sugars.

Why should we be suspicious of the number 35? There are 2-3 possible reasons why this might happen:

1. The report does not indicate how different groups of people respond. 

The glycemic index study only indicates the average response of a food. But does not indicate how different groups of people respond (which was not done in the Philippines). We do not know if the 10 other people who did not participate in the study had a different response?

On the label of a brand of coconut sugar called “Sweet Trees” there is a disclaimer saying. “The Glycemic Index (GI) is not believed to be an indicator of sugar safety for people with diabetes. Although data show that coconut sugar has a Glycemic Index (GI) as low as 35, other tests have shown different results. We believe this to be a natural difference and therefore do not endorse this product for use in people with diabetes.”

There is an incidence of people having higher blood sugar levels. When consuming coconut sugar and who should be listening most to this are people with diabetes who are tested for their glycemic response almost daily. The Glycemic Index (GI) test would be most useful if performed in healthy young adults with fewest blood sugar problems and in diabetics, ทางเข้า https://ufabet999.app pre-diabetics and those with signs of diabetes who have different  responses.

2. There is no consistent explanation for why coconut sugar is different from other sugars,  

especially in terms of its effect on blood sugar levels. According to the product description, coconut sugar is mostly sucrose (sucrose with half fructose and half glucose), so one might expect a Glycemic Index (GI) of 60-65. It is explained that it is actually fructose, similar to agave syrup. Although fructose does not raise blood sugar levels (but it causes other problems), foods that are high in fructose tend not to cause a higher blood sugar response. However, high concentrations of fructose are comparable to other sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, and cane sugar.

There is no reason why coconut sugar should act any differently than other sugars in the body. If any of our readers have tested their blood sugar levels after using coconut products and compared them to other sweeteners, it would be great if you could share your results.

Is coconut sugar really rich in minerals?

“Coconut sugar is rich in minerals!” the website that sells this product brags.

How true is this claim? According to the Philippine Food and Nutrition Research Institute, a half cup of coconut sugar contains more than 1000 mg of potassium ( the recommended daily intake for adults is 4700 mg). But is consuming a half cup of coconut sugar good for your potassium? A teaspoon contains 43 mg of potassium, which is not much compared to other vegetables and meats. A half cup of green vegetables contains 400-500 mg of potassium, and a 4 oz (113.36 g) serving of meat contains about the same amount. 

The amounts of other minerals in a half cup of coconut sugar are very low compared to other sugars. For example, a half cup of coconut sugar contains 29 milligrams of magnesium and 2 milligrams of zinc (for comparison, a half cup of cooked spinach contains 76 milligrams of magnesium).

Other concerns include: Is coconut sugar more sustainable than other types of sugar?

“Coconut sugar is the most sustainable sugar in the world!” There are environmental concerns associated with sugarcane production. That do not exist with coconut sugar production. Coconut trees can produce coconut sugar year after year. And according to industry websites, less water is used for cultivation each year. However, coconut trees can thrive in any type of soil, even on beaches. However, producing honey or maple syrup does not have as many environmental concerns.

An important point for fans of coconut meat, coconut milk and coconut oil is that when coconut blossoms are drilled to make sugar. The coconut blossom (SAP) does not grow into coconuts, which earns farmers more money than coconut sugar. Some of the trees that are going into coconut meat production are replaced with coconut sugar. Which may be one reason why the prices of coconut meat, coconut milk and coconut oil are so high.