Organic palm sugar is often used as a healthier alternative sweetener for some reasons. This kind of sugar is made of natural sources, lower in calories, and high in nutrients. But is this sugar a better option for people with diabetes? Keep reading to learn more about this palm sugar and how it might be beneficial for your high blood sugar.
Nutritional Profile
The use of palm sugar for diabetics is mainly due to the nutrients contained in the sweetener. The sugar makes a good option for people with diabetes since the glycemic index (GI) contained is relatively low. The GI score of palm sugar is as much as 35. It is considered much lower if compared to refined sugar that usually contains 60 to 65 of glycemic index.
Not only that but coconut palm sugar has lower calories than regular white sugar or sucrose. This natural sweetener is also produced without additional chemicals. As the name suggests, this kind of sugar is made from the sap of coconut palm trees. That is why palm sugar is all natural and pure.
Since coconut palm sugar is unrefined, the sugar will provide you with a lot of health benefits. It comes with a good source of iron, potassium, zinc, manganese, and copper. In one tablespoon of coconut palm sugar, you will find 15 grams of carbohydrates, 54 calories, and 0 gram fats.
Benefits of Palm Sugar for Diabetes
Studies reveal that there are some health benefits of palm sugar for diabetics. This natural sweetener is even considered a great option to help people with diabetes type 2 to keep their blood sugar on normal levels. This is simply because coconut palm sugar has a low glycemic index and less glucose, helping your body to regulate blood sugar effectively. That is why this organic sweetener will not crash the energy level rapidly. Additionally, coconut palm sugar is also easy on the heart.
Palm sugar also comes with special fiber called inulin. In women with diabetes type 2, inulin found in coconut palm sugar is very helpful in improving antioxidant status as well as controlling blood sugar. With this ability, the organic sweetener can also help you to protect your body from diseases, damages, and infections. Furthermore, the fermentable carbohydrates contained in coconut palm sugar can increase the sensitivity of insulin. Not only that but they also have powerful metabolic effects for those with higher risks of diabetes.