There’s nothing better than the sweet, sticky substance known as syrup on top of your waffles and pancakes, but you may not know where it comes from and how it helps you. While you may think syrup is nothing more than a sugar-filled health risk, it actually has plenty of health benefits. If you’re looking for a healthier sweetener or just curious about syrup, explore these four surprising benefits of pure maple syrup.
Full of Essential Minerals
The overall vitamin content is low when it comes to maple syrup; however, it’s full of essential minerals the human body needs to function properly. Believe it or not, a single tablespoon of syrup contains a large portion of your daily vitamins, including the following:
It Contains Antioxidants
Many inflammatory diseases like heart disease and irritable bowel syndrome are the result of oxidative stress inside the body. Because maple syrup is a plant-based product, it contains antioxidants that work to reduce the damage that oxygen and free radicals cause in your body. With that in mind, consuming pure maple syrup may increase your overall wellness and reduce the possibility of premature aging.
It Lowers Cholesterol
Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy, functioning cells; however, having too much can increase your risk of heart disease because of fatty deposits building up in your arteries. Interestingly, the minerals found in pure maple syrup may help regulate healthy cholesterol levels. Furthermore, consuming maple syrup may help reduce inflammation in your organs.
Decreases Risks of Cognitive Issues
Alzheimer’s and other degenerative diseases are common for older adults, but consuming pure maple syrup regularly may help keep the proteins and cells in the brain working properly. Furthermore, maple syrup may also help slow the erosion of the brain in those who already have a degenerative disease diagnosis.
With all these surprising benefits of pure maple syrup, you may want to consider adding more of it to your diet. Although you can always purchase it at your local grocery store, there’s nothing better than learning how to make your own maple syrup by tapping your maple trees for sap.
Additional Resources:
Potassium
Magnesium
Protein
