Coconut blossom sugar is – if you will – the new star in the world of sugar alternatives. It contains many vitamins and nutrients and has a lower glycemic index than white granulated sugar. In this article, you’ll learn more about coconut blossom sugar and whether it’s healthy for you.

Where does coconut blossom sugar come from?

Coconut blossom sugar is mainly produced in Asia, more precisely from the islands of the Indian Ocean, the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia. There it is extracted from the long flowers of the coconut palm.

Normally, coconut blossom sugar is harvested from coconut palms that are free of pesticides and artificial fertilizers. Fertilization is usually done with coconut shells and palm fronds, which makes coconut blossom sugar very sustainable and environmentally friendly.

How is coconut blossom sugar made?

However, the production of coconut blossom sugar is a bit complicated. The farmers first cut the coconut blossoms so that the juice from which the sugar is subsequently extracted can escape.

This juice is then boiled down, and after it has dried, it is ground by hand into fine coconut blossom sugar.

However, coconut blossom sugar does not taste like coconut, as the name might suggest. In terms of taste, it has more of a subtle vanilla or caramel note.

Nutritional values of coconut blossom sugar

Coconut blossom sugar has about 376 calories per 100 grams. Regular table sugar, by comparison, has about 405 calories per 100 grams.

However, coconut blossom sugar has a much lower fructose content, which is considered a fattener. The sugar from coconut blossoms contains mainly sucrose (about 70% – 79%). The glucose and fructose content is only 3% – 9%.

But that’s not the only reason why coconut blossom sugar is comparatively healthier than regular white sugar. Another advantage of coconut blossom sugar is the extremely low glycemic index. That is, it does not cause blood sugar levels to rise as much as conventional sugar.

Here is an overview of the nutritional values of coconut blossom sugar, compared to other common sugars.

Health benefits of coconut blossom sugar

Coconut blossom sugar makes you feel fuller for longer

Have you ever wondered why you often get hungry very quickly after eating certain foods, especially fast foods?

This is due to the fact that such foods sometimes contain an extremely high amount of sugar, so they have a high glycemic index. This causes the blood sugar level to skyrocket.

Just as quickly, however, it goes back down, and then you are hungry again. Coconut blossom sugar, therefore, saturates you for longer due to its lower glycemic index. Which, by the way, can be extremely helpful in a diet.

Coconut blossom sugar may reduce the risk of diabetes

Coconut blossom sugars help to minimize the risk of diabetes or insulin resistance. However, diabetics should still always pay attention to their blood sugar levels when using this type of sugar substitute.

Nutrition plays an important role in the development of diabetes. Especially fatty products such as meat, milk, eggs, or cheese contribute to the development of the disease.

The saturated fats contained in animal products clog the insulin receptors so that the blood sugar level can no longer be broken down. Therefore, it is recommended with diabetes to avoid fatty and animal products as much as possible and to eat more healthy, plant-based foods overall.

Due to its gentle processing, coconut blossom sugar also contains many healthy ingredients.

Coconut blossom sugar is rich in healthy ingredients

Coconut blossom sugar contains a lot of healthy ingredients, especially compared to conventional sugar alternatives.

·         Minerals in Coconut Blossom Sugar

As a rule, the body cannot produce minerals itself and they must therefore be supplied from the outside through the diet. Minerals, for example, have a hypotensive effect or have a positive effect on the metabolism. Coconut blossom sugar contains calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron, among others.

In addition, coconut blossom sugar contains a non-negligible amount of inulin. This fiber is intended to ensure that increased amounts of calcium and magnesium can be absorbed.

Furthermore, inulin is said to have a positive effect on the intestine. A healthy intestinal flora, in turn, ensures a functioning immune system. Inulin is also considered “brain food.” Our brain consumes a considerable proportion of energy every day.

·         Amino acids in coconut blossom sugar

Amino acids are responsible for an incredible number of processes in our body and perform vital functions.

Coconut blossom sugar contains a total of 16 amino acids, such as arginine and histidine. However, the glutamine content is particularly high. This amino acid, for example, is involved in important metabolic processes in the body.

·         Vitamins in coconut blossom sugar

In addition, coconut blossom sugar, which probably no one suspected, contains many vitamins such as folic acid, thiamine (vitamin B1), choline (vitamin B4), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), and riboflavin (vitamin B2).

These vitamins, for example, are responsible for ensuring that our body can convert the carbohydrates we absorb with food into energy.

How to use coconut blossom sugar

The beauty of coconut sugar is that it can be used as a 1:1 replacement for white granulated sugar. No need to add more or less.

However, when baking you should plan a little more time for stirring, as coconut blossom sugar tends to clump. By the way, due to its light caramel taste, coconut blossom sugar is also the ideal substitute for brown cane sugar.

When buying coconut blossom sugar, you should make sure that you are getting a pure product. Indeed, coconut blossom sugar is often mixed with other sugars, which takes away some of the qualities and properties mentioned above.

Conclusion

Coconut blossom sugar can actually be a healthier alternative to conventional cane sugar or white industrial sugar. It is rich in minerals, vitamins, and has a low glycemic index. The cultivation can also be quite sustainable because a coconut palm can be harvested for about 70 years. So, there is no need to plant new trees all the time.

If you are going to use sugar anyway, then why not give coconut blossom sugar a try!