Prerna Porwal
Coconut Sugar which is also known as coconut palm sugar or coco sap sugar and even coconut blossom sugar is a palm sugar manufactured from the sap of the flowering bud stem of the coconut palm. It is a better alternative to table sugar because of its healthy properties. In order to dive deep and understand the various coconut sugar healthy benefits, as well as know the top 5 best coconut sugar brands in India, continue reading the article.
1. High Electrolytes
Natural Coconut sugar contains electrolytes like potassium, magnesium and sodium which are crucial for regulating our body’s water content and assisting in heart, nerve and muscle to function well. It is observed that unrefined coconut sugar has about 400 times more potassium than regular white sugar.
2. Low Glycemic Index (GI Value)
The glycemic index (GI) is a calculation of carbohydrate in foods we consume and their impact on our blood sugar and glucose levels in the body. Coconut sugar consists of a very low glycemic Index count. It has just 35 on the index value as compared to the regular table sugar which has GI ranging 60 to 65.
3. Less fructose content
Friends, for your information, fructose is a variant of sugar that is converted into fats by our body. Our Liver is responsible for breaking down fructose, which is not an easy process. This complex breakdown results in the formation of triglycerides (a form of fat). Coconuts sugar contains about roughly 70 percent of sucrose and approx 30 percent of fructose as compared to white sugar which is high in both fructose and glucose content.
4. Minerals content
Coconut sugar is rich in minerals content; it contains iron, zinc, potassium, calcium and sodium which have several health benefits.
5. Nitrogen Presence
Nitrogen is important to help support the cardiovascular system and keep your heart healthy and coconut Sugar has a very good amount of nitrogen present in it.
6. Inulin content
No, it’s not a spelling mistake for Insulin. Coconut sugar has Inulin which is one type of dietary fiber that helps to keep our gut very healthy, it also prevents colon cancer and balances our blood sugar level in the body.
7. Vitamin C
Vitamin C present in coconut sugar is useful in supporting your immune system and protecting us from various illnesses. It also supports healthy joints and useful to skin.
8. Raw antioxidants
Coconut Sugar is simply dehydrated coconut sap, it’s considered as a raw food and thus it retains all the rich antioxidants. Antioxidants are essential to fight the oxidation of cells in the body, which helps to combat aging.
Check this video to know more about the coconut sugar healthy benefits.
Sugarous Coconut Sugar is a pure and organic sugar produced from the finest quality of coconut flower nectar. It is not refined and thus rich in minerals like iron, potassium and zinc. It also consists of vitamin C. The reason I have picked this organic product in my top choice list is that it’s completely free from trans fat.
Key Features:
- 100% natural and organic
- 0% Trans fat
- Boosts immunity and fights cholesterol
- helps in healthy digestion
- free from artificial additives and preservatives
Pure & Sure organic coconut sugar is produced from the highest quality of coconut flower nectar that comes from certified organic farms spread across the country. It is an ideal white sugar substitute for people with diabetes. This organic sugar of Phalada Pure & Sure is rich in mineral content.
Key Features:
- low Glycaemic Index
- loaded with vitamins and minerals and its sweetness is equal to cane sugar
Essence Nutrition’s premium Coconut Sugar is prepared from 100% pure coconut flower nectar. It is a perfect substitute for refined white sugar due to its low GI value. I have rated this product as the best for coconut sugar purchase. Apart from this Essence’s Coconut Sugar is loaded with several vitamins, minerals and micro-nutrients.
Key Features:
- 100% pure and natural coconut flower nectar
- Gluten-free
- naturally loaded with minerals and micronutrients.
- zero preservatives and free of chemicals
- low GI of 35-40
Koko’s Organic Sugar is a perfect alternative sweetener which can be used as a one-to-one replacement to white sugar or brown sugar on a daily basis. It is 100 % natural and organic. It is loaded with 15 essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
Key Features:
- 100% organic product
- low glycemic index value
- consists of Iron, Calcium, Zinc and Vitamin B1
- no artificial color or preservatives
Coconut Culture’s unrefined Sugar is produced from organically grown coconut tree sap. It’s a nutritious superfood that is rich in vitamins and has the lowest glycemic index compared to white sugar and other sweeteners available in the market.
Key Features:
- 100% pure and natural coconut product
- loaded with Sodium and Potassium content
- has only 45% fructose
- Ideal for dessert
These are the top 5 brands that I personally prefer as the best brands for getting maximum coconut sugar healthy benefits.
Step 1: First a small cut is made on the flower of the coconut palm and the liquid sap is collected into wide containers.
Step 2: The collected sap is then placed under heat for natural drying until the water content is evaporated.
The end product obtained after drying is brown and granulated. Its shade is very similar to raw sugar; however the particle size is coarse and uneven unlike refined white sugar
In short, we can say that Coconut Sugar is simply dehydrated sap of coconut palm.
1. Is coconut sugar better than sugar?
Yes, not 100% as coconut sugar and white sugar are in the same boat. The only difference is coconut sugar is raw and unprocessed and consists of more minerals and vitamins. Coconut Sugar has low G.I. value of 35 compared to white sugar and thus can be considered as a good replacement for normal sugar.
2. Can diabetics have coconut sugar?
Yes, in moderate quantities. Coconut palm sugar has low G.I. value, but it consists of the same amount of carbs and calories as white sugar. Diabetic patients can consume coconut sugar as it does not spike blood glucose and insulin levels.
3. Does coconut sugar taste like coconut?
No, there is no connection between coconut sugar and coconut taste as such. Since it is not refined and processed raw in form, it is slightly similar to brown sugar in taste study.
4. Why is coconut sugar healthier?
There are plenty of websites highlighting the health benefits of sugars and sweeteners, but let me tell you the worst part, any form of sugar is bad for your health, and adding more fuel to fire, coconut sugar is in fact sugar only. However, while comparing with white refined sugar, coconut sugar is less bad for you since it contains minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium and potassium and white sugar is simply calories without any nutrition. Also, in addition, Coconut sugar contains healthy fats which are helpful to prevent high cholesterol and heart diseases.
5. Is coconut sugar good for weight loss?
Coconut Sugar is not a weight loss ingredient as it does not contain any nutritive benefits resulting in burning any body fat. However to look at the positive side, coconut sugar has about 20-25 calories in 1gram as compared to 40 calories per gram of white sugar.
6. Can you use coconut sugar in coffee?
Yes of course, coconut sugar is 1:1 replacement of refined white sugar and can be used in tea, coffee, bakery items, day to day cooking, etc
7. Is coconut sugar good for keto?
No, not ideally. Because coconut sugar is high in calories and carbs and not suitable for the keto process. Coconut sugar prepared from the sap of the coconut palm is absorbed more slowly than regular white sugar. This property negates its entry into keto diet food lists.
8. Is coconut sugar good for skin?
Yes, Coconut sugar contains decent amounts of micronutrients like zinc and iron which are considered as skin friendly. Coconut sugar is finer in texture and gentler on the skin and is very suitable for exfoliating and moisturizing your tender skin. Since it’s pure and natural, it is highly suitable for all types of skin. There are many DIY recipes of coconut sugar for cleansing pores, preparing face washes and make up removal.
9. What can you do with coconut sugar?
The list goes on and on. But to mention a few Coconut Sugar has a darkish earthy shade, it’s perfect fit in baking recipes involved with chocolate or warm spices. It can be brilliantly stirred into hot beverages like coffee or tea on a regular basis, sprinkled on top of pancakes and waffles, or used to brighten up various recipes of curries.
10. Can you use coconut sugar as a replacement for white sugar?
Yes, you can surely use coconut sugar as an alternative to white sugar in many baking recipes. However for day to day consumption the choice is completely yours as there aren’t excessive potential benefits for the price paid on coconut sugar.
11. Is coconut sugar low glycemic?
Yes, as mentioned in the benefits above, Coconut Sugar has a low glycemic value of 35 as compared to refined white sugar having GI in the range of 60-65.