6 Reasons To include Palm Sugar In Your Diet
Image Source: Uses Of Coconut
While growing up, the only sugar I knew about was white sugar. Be it milk, a dessert, or an instant energy requirement, I always had white sugar to eat. But now the market is overflowing with different sugar, white sugar, brown sugar, cane sugar, palm sugar, coconut palm sugar and many more. But today, our only focus is going to be palm sugar. Palm sugar is made from the sap of Palmyra palm, date palm, or sugar date palm. It is mainly used in Asian and Middle Eastern countries. It looks like brown sugar but is much more nutritional and beneficial compared to it. Here is how replacing your regular sugar with palm sugar in your daily diet, going to help you.
Low Glycemic Index
Glycemic Index or GI ranks carbohydrates with respect to their impact on blood glucose levels. Glycemic Index measures the speed at which blood sugar levels raise levels of a person after consuming food. The quicker the food is processed in the body, the higher the Glycemic Index.
Boosts Energy Levels
Palm sugar takes very little time to break down and absorb in the body. This process begins as soon as the sugar enters your mouth and mixes with your saliva. This is why it provides instant energy to your body and enhances activity levels.
Natural Unbleached Sugar
Regular white sugar is obtained by bleaching and chemically treating sugarcane molasses. Bone char which is made by burning animal bones is used in this bleaching process which is a big concern for vegetarians and vegans. This chemically treated sugar loses a lot of its nutrients and is not as healthy as the unprocessed form. Palm sugar is not refined and thus the vitamin and minerals remain intact in it.
Diabetes Patients
As we know that palm sugar has a lower Glycemic Index, so it does not shoot up the blood sugar level all of a sudden. This is the reason why, palm sugar is healthier compared to regular sugar. However it is advisable not to consume a lot of palm sugar either, to diabetic patients as though it has a lower GI, it still is sugar.
Oral Rehydration Solution
Oral Rehydration Solution or ORS maintains the electrolyte levels within the cells in our body along with rehydrating the body. This solution should be consumed when suffering from diarrhea, or vomiting where the patient loses a large amount of fluid from his/her body along with minerals and salt. ORS is the best remedy to quickly restore lost fluids, minerals and salts. To make a quick oral rehydration solution, mix two tablespoons of palm sugar with a 1/4th tablespoon of salt in one litre of warm water and ask the patient to drink it slowly. This is the best way to rehydrate a patient be it a child, a young man/woman or an old person.
Other Health Benefits
The low GI also helps in the improvement of women's health. It is very useful for women suffering from PCOS. It is thermogenic i.e. it consumes the energy from your body to burn itself, this in turn increases the metabolism and aids weight loss. It also helps to burn fat from your body. Palm sugar is not sugar-free, nor is it a substitute for regular sugar, but replacing your regular sugar with palm sugar will help to regulate your insulin level, and blood sugar level thus preventing you from diabetes, and aiding your weight loss while still keeping you active and energetic throughout the day without risking your health.
The best thing about palm sugar is that it does not taste bad at all. It tastes just a little different from your regular sugar but is much more beneficial for a healthy lifestyle and living. So you can add a cup of your milk, tea or coffee or even to your desserts without knowing much of a difference.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I include palm sugar in my diet?
Palm sugar adds a delightful touch to your dishes while providing essential nutrients like potassium and iron. Plus, it won't give you sugar highs like those sneaky, mischievous candies!
Is palm sugar the secret to eternal happiness?
It can certainly elevate your mood! Palm sugar contains serotonin, the "feel-good" hormone. So, incorporating it into your diet might make you a little sweeter, both inside and out.
How does palm sugar taste?
Palm sugar offers a unique flavour profile with hints of caramel and butterscotch. It adds a symphony of deliciousness to your recipes, making your taste buds tango with joy.
Can I use palm sugar to make desserts?
Well, it can make your desserts irresistible. add palm sugar to your baking creations and let the magic unfold.