If you're trying to eat healthy, you may be focusing your energy on avoiding fat, and perhaps sodium, but research is increasingly pointing to sugar as a huge culprit in obesity and other health problems. That's not to say that certain fats aren't harmful; certainly trans fats and many saturated fats should be avoided, but many people tend to overlook their sugar intake while they carefully monitor fats, sodium, and calories.
For those people who do realize the harmful effects of too much sugar in their diet, they often turn to artificial sweeteners as an alternative. The problem with many of these sweeteners is that they're chemically produced and may be responsible for a lot of other health problems. They don't seem particularly safe.
The best alternative seems to be to use natural sugars and sweeteners in moderation. Some sweeteners, like honey and maple syrup, although natural, still raise blood sugar and can attribute to inflammation, due to their higher numbers on the glycemic index.
However, a lesser known sweetener, coconut palm sugar, has started gaining attention. This sweetener is particularly interesting because it is unrefined, has a rich, caramel-like taste (great for a lot of baking recipes), and is much lower on the glycemic index. It also contains nutrients, which is a big bonus for a sweetener. Potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, as well as vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, and C, are naturally found in coconut palm sugar.
Coconut palm sugar costs more than cane sugar, largely because of the labor-intensive process it must go through to be harvested. This sugar comes from the sap of coconut tree blossoms, and laborers must actually climb the trees in order to harvest the blossoms.
Consumers must be careful when purchasing coconut palm sugar because many coconut palm sugars sold through international markets are heavily laced with white table sugar. However, SweetTree coconut palm sugar is 100% organic and reputable. It can be purchased at Whole Foods in Green Hills or Franklin, or online.
The next time you reach for an artificial sweetener, or even white table sugar, make a healthier and more natural choice: try coconut palm sugar.
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