A recent study showed that replacing refined sugars with more natural options can provide significant health benefits. cardiometabolic health.
Results include improvements in the regulation of blood sugar levels, reduction in blood pressure, reduction in abdominal fat and positive changes in the gut microbiota, key aspects in the prevention of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.
maple syrupa sweetener little processed and rich in polyphenolscan act and improve metabolic parameters in animal models.
However, no randomized clinical trial has studied this topic so far, although it contains more 100 natural compoundsincluding polyphenols, known to prevent disease in part through their effects anti-inflammatories.
In order to learn more about its benefits, researchers from Laval University and the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute In Canada They analyzed their consumption in 42 volunteers originally from the metropolitan region of Quebec, aged between 18 and 75 years oldin good health and with BMI from 23 to 40.
Although it was a small study, several benefits were observed, some of which surprised the researchers as unexpected. The main research finding, published in The nutrition journalshould be replaced by two tablespoons of pure maple syrup refined sugars reduce several risk factors cardiometabolic in humans.
“We know from decades of research that maple syrup It’s more than just sugar. Contains more than 100 natural compoundsincluding polyphenols, known to prevent disease in part through their effects anti-inflammatories” said the doctor André Marettelead author of the study.
“Since basic chemistry of maple syrup is unique, I was wondering if eating maple syrup instead of an equivalent amount of refined sugar would affect the cardiometabolic health and the intestinal microbiota in humans.
The results were extremely encouraging. I didn’t expect to see so much improvement from the risk factors in a relatively short treatment period,” he added.
The participants replaced the 5% of your daily calorie intake (corresponding to 2 tablespoons) of sugars refined with Canadian maple syrup or artificially flavored sucrose syrup.
Each phase lasted 8 weeks and participants switched between the maple syrup and sucrose syrup groups after a washout period of four weeks. The crossover design ensured that the same test subject was their own control, consuming both a placebo and maple syrup.
The main results focused on oral glucose tolerance test (PTGO). Secondary outcomes included changes in blood lipid profile, blood pressure, body fat composition (measured by scanning DEXA) and changes in the composition of intestinal microbiota.
“The promising results from this first-in-human trial give us further reason to educate consumers about the many health benefits of maple syrup. It’s really a “a smarter sweetener” and a healthier alternative to refined sugar,” said Dr. André Marettewho has led the study since Laval University.
What were the benefits of taking two tablespoons?
First, study participants saw their blood sugar levels. All those who consumed pure maple syrup They had a better response to oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) than those who received a syrup flavored with refined sugar. Their body manages their blood sugar levels better after eating (-50.59 versus +29.93).
Second, your blood pressure was reduced in subjects who consumed maple syrup during the trial. THE systolic blood pressure decreased significantly in the group that consumed maple syrup (-2.72 mmHg) while it increased slightly in the group having consumed sucrose (+0.87 mmHg).
“Reduce the blood pressure remains an important factor in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. “Natural sweeteners, like pure maple syrup, when replacing refined sugars, can be part of an overall solution to help prevent metabolic diseases,” he commented. Marette.
Third, benefits were noted that affected the visceral fatwhich is the deep fat that surrounds the internal organs of the abdomen. This can increase the risk of serious health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes And blows. The maple syrup test showed that android body fatFat in the abdominal area decreased significantly in the group that consumed maple syrup compared to an increase in the group that consumed the sucrose solution (-7.83g versus +67.61g).
Finally, the advantage that surprised the researchers the most is that improved intestinal microbiota. They said it was an “unexpected finding” to see how it improves levels of potentially beneficial gut bacteria and decreases the levels of potentially harmful gut bacteria in participants who consumed maple syrup.
The study showed a reduction in species of ‘Klebsiella’ And ‘Bacteroides pectinophilus’which are linked to inflammation and the metabolic disordersand increased growth of beneficial bacteria such as ‘Lactocaseibacillus casei’ And ‘Clostridium beijerinckii’.
Other benefits of maple syrup
Furthermore, the researchers point out that two tablespoons of maple syrup They are an excellent source of manganese (35%); a good source of riboflavin (15%); a source of calcium (2%), thiamine (2%), potassium (2%) And copper (8%); and, in addition, it contains a 12% fewer calories than light corn syrup. In comparison, refined sugar requires a large amount of processing and therefore has no real nutritional value.
“The combined decline of these key risk factors can help reduce the risk of diabetes And cardiovascular diseases. Committing to changing our lifestyle and making small adjustments to our daily diet is important and can be a powerful tool for preventing future diseases,” added the researcher.
Although this study was limited to a relatively small sample (42 men and women) and was carried out over a relatively short period of time, the results remain significant. The next goal is to conduct larger studies in other populations to explore how replace refined sugars with maple syrup could affect your specific health condition.
