In the world there is a large amount of sugar from various raw materials - cane, beets, maple, grapes. Coconut sugar is a novelty, it can be purchased only in special stores. In appearance and taste, it looks like ordinary brown sugar, but it costs much more.

Coconut Sugar Composition, Calorie Content and Glycemic Index

Probably, coconut sugar is considered a novelty only in Russia. In South Asia, this organic product began to be eaten many centuries ago. Its chemical composition is significantly different from cane sugar. The benefit of the product increases the method of its preparation without the use of slaked lime. Manufacturers are trying to maximally preserve all the vitamins and minerals in it.

Thanks to inulin, which is part of coconut, coconut sugar is absorbed much more slowly. Its glycemic index is 35.

Chemical composition:

  • proteins - 1%;
  • fats - 0.4%;
  • carbohydrates - 93%;
  • trace elements (P, Ca, Mg, Fe, K, Na);
  • vitamins (C, B2; B3; B6; B8).

The calorie content of the product is 380 kcal per 100 g, almost the same as regular sugar. Therefore, do not get carried away, deceiving its less sweet taste.

What the product is made of

Unrefined coconut sugar is made from nectar of coconut palm inflorescences. This process is time consuming. Evaporation of the syrup is carried out at a low temperature in order to maintain the maximum amount of nutrients.

Workers collect the sweet coconut juice of inflorescences, climbing on a palm tree.

To do this, make incisions, under which they substitute special containers. One palm tree yields more than 250 kg of juice per year; the sucrose yield from it is 20%.

The collected juice is heated for a long time, when the water evaporates, it turns into a thick, syrupy mass. Ready sugar can be light brown with a light caramel flavor or slightly darker with a nutty flavor.

What is the difference between coconut sugar and ordinary

Coconut sugar has a different taste, less sweet than cane and beet sugar. Feeling an exotic coconut aroma will not work, the smell will be caramel with a nutty touch. The color of sugar is from light to dark brown, it all depends on the manufacturer.

The product differs not only in organoleptic qualities, but also in composition.

It contains more inositol than vitamins and mineral salts of magnesium, zinc, and iron than ordinary sugar.

Coconut sugar: benefits and harms to the human body

This natural sweetener is considered healthy due to its unique chemical composition. Its use allows you to maintain cheerfulness and well-being:

  1. The essential amino acid glutamine contributes to better muscle growth, healing of wounds, quick recovery after irradiation and chemotherapy.
  2. Inositol (also called vitamin B8) restores the health of the nervous system, improves vision, normalizes sleep, and helps to cope with depression.
  3. Mineral salts of potassium contribute to maintaining normal blood pressure, which is especially important for hypertensive patients.

The main advantage of this sweet product is its low glycemic index.

It shows the rate at which carbohydrates are absorbed by the body, raising blood sugar levels. After consuming coconut sugar, a sharp jump does not occur, the product is absorbed gradually, supplying the body with energy for a long time.

Therefore, coconut sugar is useful for those who want to lose weight, people with weakened immunity. But the glycemic index is in no way associated with the calorie content of the product, when losing weight, you need to use it sparingly, observing the chosen diet.

Diabetes mellitus

For non-insulin-dependent diabetics, coconut sugar is an excellent alternative to artificial substitutes. But they use it in very limited quantities, not forgetting that it is a high-calorie product.

Although the glycemic index of coconut sugar is lower than that of cane or beet sugar, it is not recommended for use in severe diabetes mellitus.

This can lead to complications and poor health.

Is coconut sugar possible during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Coconut sugar is useful in pregnancy and breastfeeding. After using it, there is no feeling of hunger, and a woman will not gain extra pounds.

The vitamins and minerals contained in the product are useful not only for the woman, but also for the baby’s growing body.

Mineral salts of iron in an easily digestible form for the body serve as a prophylaxis of anemia, which is especially dangerous during pregnancy. It is useful to drink tea with coconut sugar in the morning, add it to pastries and other dishes, instead of the usual white sugar.

What can I cook with coconut sugar?

Coconut sugar confectionery is a popular treat. It is also added to salad dressing, diet cereals, drinks.

You can make delicious cookies with coconut sugar or carrot muffins, replacing the same amount of regular granulated sugar in the recipe.

Thanks to coconut sugar, baking is healthier, with a sweet-caramel flavor and brighter in color.

Recipe for Carrot-Coconut Muffins

Products:

  • coconut sugar - 4 tbsp. l .;
  • coconut oil - 4 tbsp. l .;
  • nuts –50 g;
  • salt –1 tsp;
  • baking powder –1 tsp;
  • carrots - 2 pcs.;
  • flour - 6 tbsp. l .;
  • egg - 2 pcs.;
  • cinnamon - 1 tsp;
  • nutmeg - 1/2 tsp.

Cooking:

  1. The nuts are crushed in a blender, 2 tbsp are added to them. l coconut oil.
  2. Put the nut mixture in the microwave for 1 or 2 minutes. Take out every 30 seconds, and mix thoroughly.
  3. Beat the egg with sugar, add coconut oil and a dry mixture of flour, salt, baking powder and spices.
  4. Then put in the dough a cooled mixture of nuts and butter, and mix.
  5. At the end, put the grated carrots.
  6. Knead the dough, and lay out on greased tins.
  7. Bake for 15–20 minutes at 180 ° C.

Coconut sugar with fried carob mix in an interesting way. This cocoa substitute has no bitterness, which makes it possible to use a less sweet sweetener in the recipe. Baking is dietary with chocolate notes.

Coconut Sugar Brownie with Carob

Products:

  • wheat flour - 100 g;
  • butter - 115 g;
  • carob - 100 g;
  • vanilla extract - 1 tsp;
  • eggs - 2 pcs.;
  • baking powder - 1.5 tsp;
  • coconut sugar - 60 g;
  • salt - 0.25 tsp

Cooking:

  1. In a bowl, mix all the dry ingredients in the recipe.
  2. Separately, rub the softened butter with sugar and eggs.
  3. Combine the dry and liquid parts, kneading the dough with a spatula. It turns out pretty thick.
  4. Transfer it to a greased form, and bake at 180 ° C for about 25 minutes. Readiness is checked with a wooden stick.

Dessert with scoops of ice cream or fragrant tea. It will be delicious both hot and cold.

Coconut sugar is an interesting product that can make food more wholesome. It is worth a try to independently evaluate all the advantages and disadvantages, and make the right choice.

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