Maple syrup, a food that is full of antioxidants.

Not all sweetening agents are born equal. For Phytonutriement Canada, the use of maple syrup to replace sugar or corn syrup makes the taste of its Urinary Formula pleasant but in addition, the phenolic compounds contained in this sweetening addition are very synergistic to cranberry (proanthocyans) and wild blueberry (anthocyanins).

Maple syrup is a product specific to North America and more particularly to Quebec. It is a 100% natural product that contains no coloring or additives. Maple water (sap) is composed of more than 97% %, sucrose, fructose and glucose. Researchers at the University of Rhode Islands led by Dr. Navindra Seeram have discovered 54 components including several antioxidants that are very beneficial for health and that act in particular on the reduction of oxidative stress. Of these 54 components, 5 had never been discovered. One of these very promising polyphenols was given the name Quebecol (in honour of Quebec). Several of the antioxidants identified have anti-cancer, anti-bacterial and also anti-diabetes properties. A study conducted by researchers at McGill University in 2015 also showed that a maple syrup concentrate makes bacteria more vulnerable to antibiotics and thus reduces the amounts to be administered. Maple water and maple syrup also contain significant amounts of terpenes and more particularly abscisic acid. Abscissic stimulates the release of insulin by pancreatic cells and thus increases the sensitivity of fat cells to insulin. Combined with the fact that maple syrup provides an interesting supply of manganese, riboflavin, zinc, magnesium, calcium and potassium, the latter is one step ahead of other common sweetening additions, such as white sugar, brown sugar and corn syrup. In fact, just like blueberries and cranberries, maple syrup is one of the superfoods.

Maple syrup is also recommended for athletes because it represents a natural source of energy in simple carbohydrates that is easily metabolized into glucose. Glucose acts as fuel during exercise. In addition, maple syrup contains manganese and zinc which are two minerals involved in muscle recovery. Finally, the potassium it contains helps to balance the body fluids that participate in muscle contraction. Consumed before a workout, it helps maintain energy levels. Ingested after the workout, maple syrup helps the body recover by renewing glycogen stores.

A can of maple syrup, as long as it is sealed and maintained at an adequate temperature, can be kept for a very long time, or even several years. His Brix is more or less 65. The Brix degree is the weight in grams of dry matter contained in 100 grams of a solution in distilled water.

Phytonutrient Canada