DavidWolfe.comCoconut sugar is a natural sweetener that also packs a few health benefits. While coconut sugar may cost more than regular granulated sugar, regarding your health, it’s a better choice. Coconut sugar benefits include it being better for your gut. Furthermore, it contains trace amounts of vitamins and minerals. Learn more about what coconut sugar can offer by reading below.
Here are 4 coconut sugar benefits:
1. May Help Diabetics
To start, coconut sugar benefits include it being a better choice for diabetics. Coconut sugar and coconut nectar contain a fiber called inulin. This fiber may help slow glucose absorption, which helps keep glucose levels in check. (1)
For example, one study suggests it helps women with type 2 diabetes. Researchers from Tabriz University found that coconut sugar benefits study participants in a few ways. For example, it improved some glycemic and antioxidant levels while decreasing malondialdehyde levels (indicates oxidative stress). (2)
While it might be true that coconut sugar benefits those with diabetes, you should use it as you would regular sugar, as the calories and carbohydrates are the same. Furthermore, you will often find coconut sugar blended with regular sugar. Just be sure to read labels well.
2. May Be Paleo-Approved
Although it’s a gray area, coconut sugar benefits those on the Paleo diet, as well. Studies indicate our “ancestors obtained about 35% of their dietary energy from fats, 35% from carbohydrates and 30% from protein.” (3) Coconut sugar is a carbohydrate, and some claim it was even used in Paleolithic times. However, it’s still a processed food, which is why many who follow the Paleo diet steer clear of it.
3. Contains Vitamins, Minerals and Phytonutrients
Coconut sugar benefits continue with the trace amount of minerals and vitamins found in this product. For example, you can find both iron and zinc in coconut sugar. In fact, coconut sugar contains twice the amount of zinc and iron as found in granulated sugar. (4)
Furthermore, coconut sugar benefits include the potential to help control inflammation and cholesterol. This is because there is a fair amount of polyphenols, flavonoids and anthocyanidins in coconut sugar. These are called phytonutrients and they help reduce blood sugar, inflammation and cholesterol.
4. Good for the Gut
Coconut sugar benefits extend to your gut, as well. As stated above, coconut sugar contains inulin. Inulin stimulates the growth of intestinal bifobacteria. This is a type of bacteria you can find within probiotics. Probiotics can boost your immune system, and can even help restore good bacteria that has been destroyed by chemotherapy and antibiotics. (5)
And coconut sugar benefits include treating and preventing issues in the intestines. Bifobacteria bacteria can be helpful in treating diarrhea, ulcerative colitis, and puchitis. Furthermore, it can prevent a bowel infection in infants known as necrotizing enterocolitis.