Coconut sugar is produced from the sap of coconut palm flowers, making it a more natural and less processed sweetener alternative.
Coconut sugar contains not only carbohydrates but also a range of vitamins and minerals, which distinguishes it from regular sugar.
These include B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. This makes it a more beneficial option compared to regular sugar.
Nutritional Value
In terms of macronutrients, coconut sugar contains:
The glycemic index of coconut sugar is approximately 35, which is significantly lower than that of regular sugar, which has a GI of about 60-65. This means that coconut sugar causes a slower rise in blood sugar levels.
The glycemic load (GL) of coconut sugar is about 5 per 10-gram serving.
However, despite its low GI, it should be consumed with caution, especially on a keto diet where carbohydrates need to be limited.
Thus, while coconut sugar contains some beneficial nutrients, its high calorie and carbohydrate content makes it unsuitable for a keto diet.
Instead of coconut sugar, it is better to consider alternative sweeteners like stevia, erythritol, or monk fruit, which have a zero or very low glycemic index and do not hinder ketosis.
Nevertheless, if you still want to use coconut sugar in your dishes, it is important to do so in moderation. It is recommended to limit its consumption to 1-2 teaspoons per day.
Interesting Facts about Coconut Sugar
Origin of Coconut Sugar. Coconut sugar is produced from the flowers of coconut palms, making it a natural and eco-friendly product.
Production Process. To obtain coconut sugar, the flowers of coconut palms are harvested, the sap is extracted, and then boiled down to a syrup-like consistency, which is then crystallized.
Comparison with Cane Sugar. Coconut sugar is considered a more sustainable and natural product compared to traditional cane sugar, which is often heavily processed.
Options on iHerb
| Product | Price, $ |
|---|---|
California Gold Nutrition, Foods, Toasted Coconut Chips, Refined Sugar, 2.96 oz (84 g) | 6.03 |
Cocomels, Coconut Cream Caramels, Coconut Sugar, 3 oz (85 g) | 4.84 |
Dr. Teal's, Shea Sugar Scrub, Coconut Oil With Essential Oils, 19 oz (538 g) | 12.99 |
Equal Exchange, Organic Coconut Milk Chocolate, With Coconut Palm Sugar, 55% Cacao, 2.8 oz (80 g) | 8.78 |
Health Garden, Organic Coconut Sugar, 16 oz (453 g) | 13.33 |
Madhava, Organic Coconut Sugar, Unrefined, 16 oz (454 g) | 10.00 |
NOW Foods, Real Food, Organic Coconut Sugar, 16 oz (454 g) | 8.33 |
Big Tree Farms, Organic Golden Coconut Sugar, 1 lb (454 g) | 8.26 |
Big Tree Farms, Organic Brown Coconut Sugar, 1 lb (454 g) | 8.29 |
Tree Hut, Shea Sugar Scrub, Coconut Lime, 18 oz (510 g) | 20.39 |
