If you’re looking for a healthier sugar replacement, coconut nectar syrup is an option you should consider. This coconut product doesn’t only contain more health benefits than regular white sugar. It’s also a vegan-friendly option. Here is everything you need to know about this alternative sweetener.
What is coconut nectar syrup?
Originating from Indonesia’s most populous island, Java, coconut syrup is a product of the country’s pleasant tropical climate. Known as nira in Indonesian, the syrup is a sap slowly harvested from a coconut tree using traditional methods by native Indonesian farmers.
This syrup can be eaten straight up, turned into alcohol, or used as a sweetener. As a cane sugar alternative, it is healthier and more vegan-friendly. This is because the production process uses zero preservatives and artificial coloring to produce this high-quality sugar replacement.
Coconut nectar syrup benefits
Lower glycemic index
The nectar syrup has a low glycemic index (GI), making it a better alternative to cane sugar, which has a high GI. Foods with a lower glycemic index have a milder impact on your blood sugar levels. Hence, coconut nectar syrup is less likely to sharply increase blood sugar levels, which can be dangerous for diabetics.
Prebiotics content
Coconut nectar syrup has a low GI because of its low fructose content. Its sweetness comes mostly from the polysaccharide inulin, a well-known prebiotic fiber that promotes digestion. Your body requires it to keep your digestive tract in good health.
Mineral-rich food
Coconut trees are frequently planted on rich volcanic soils, where the roots can extract a large amount of nutrients from the ground. As a result, like bulk coconut sugar, coconut syrup is abundant with various minerals like potassium, magnesium, zinc, and iron, as well as 17 distinct amino acids.
Unrefined sugar
The nectar from coconut flowers is naturally sweet, so the concentrated sugar-free coconut syrup only requires low heating. This process is not only free of additional chemicals – it also helps to maintain the enzymes present naturally in coconut syrup.
How to use organic coconut nectar syrup
You can use this coconut syrup as you would any liquid sweetener. It’s great for pancakes, sweet drinks, and baked goods like soft-baked cookies. However, it’s not a one-for-one replacement in recipes that call for a lot of sugar, because the flavor is stronger than regular cane sugar. Nevertheless, this item is still a great white sugar alternative.
