Health Benefits of Coconut Sugar For Diabetics

Coconut sugar is a truly natural sweeteners ideal for diabetics looking to satisfy their sweet tooth. This is because coconut sugar is not really a "sugar". What has been termed coconut sugar is a natural sweetener made from the sap of coconut blossoms.

New to Western countries, coconut sugar has been used as a natural sweetener by the indigenous people of South East Asia for thousands of years. Though some refer to coconut sugar as "palm sugar" it is important to note that coconut sugar is not palm sugar. Real palm sugar is made from the sap of the date palm, whereas coconut sugar is made from the sap of coconut blossoms.

Coconut Sugar Is A Low Glycemic Sweetener

Low Glycemic Foods	GI = 55 or less
Medium Glycemic Foods	GI = 56-69
High Glycemic Foods	GI = 70+

Coconut sugar is a low glycemic sweetener but not a calorie free food. The GI rating of coconut sugar is 35 and one tbsp of coconut sugar has just 10 calories. This makes coconut sugar the ideal sweetener for diabetics looking for an all natural sweetener that tastes very similar to brown sugar. But, because coconut sugar is one of the least processed sweeteners on the market today, its color and sweetness can vary depending on the type of coconuts used as well as the season and location of harvest.

Coconut Sugar Is A Nutritious All Natural Sweetener

Coconut sugar is far healthier than conventional sugars such as brown sugar, traditional white sugar and even raw sugar and can be used as a 1:1 sugar substitute in baking.

What makes coconut sugar healthier than conventional sugars is its extremely high mineral content. Besides being a rich source of iron, potassium, magnesium and zinc, coconut sugar also contains over 16 amino acids and four different B vitamins.

But, what makes coconut sugar a truly unique sweetener is the presence of inositol, also known as vitamin B8. Inositol is a low glycemic carbohydrate which gives coconut sugar most of its sweet flavor. Inositol consumption is especially beneficial to diabetics because this vitamin is believed to help relieve the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. Because of its impact on the central nervous system inositol supplements are also recommended as a treatment for anxiety, depression, bipolar mood disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and panic disorders.