Maple syrup is a syrup usually made from the xylem sap of sugar maple, red maple, or black maple trees, although it can also be made from other maple species.
Maple syrup is a natural sweetener consumed by individuals of all ages throughout the world. Maple syrup contains not only carbohydrates such as sucrose but also various components such as organic acids, amino acids, vitamins and phenolic compounds. Recent studies have shown that these phenolic compounds in maple syrup may possess various activities such as decreasing the blood glucose level and an anticancer effect.
Although maple syrup is made from boiling down sap, its color, aroma and taste change due to differences in the growth conditions and season when the sap is collected. Thus, based on Canadian standards, maple syrup is classified into five grades as follows: AA (extra light), grade A (light), grade B (medium), grade C (amber), and grade D (dark) (1). The syrup typically becomes darker in color as the season progresses, and antioxidant activity is proportional to the darkening color of the maple syrup (1).
The Anti-diabetes Properties of Maple Syrup
Maple syrup contains high levels of phytohormone and abscisic acid. According to research, this type of acid is a natural defense in controlling diabetes and other metabolic syndromes. The acid is effective because it has the potential to encourage the release of insulin through the pancreatic cells.
It can also enhance the fat cell’s sensitivity to insulin. The studies on maple syrup and its effects on diabetes have been reviewed by experts. The results of these studies were revealed before the American Chemical Society in San Francisco.
A recent study by researchers in Quebec showed that maple syrup has the ability to slow down the growth of cancerous cells. The results of the study were published in the Journal of Medicinal Food. The study was an attempt to test the capability of maple syrup in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
The researchers proved that maple syrup is effective against cancer. More specifically, the syrup can significantly slow down cancer growth in the brain, lungs, and prostate. However, the effect of maple syrup on breast cancer cells was less significant.
