Honey vs. Maple Syrup: Which Natural Sweetener is Healthier?

• What is Raw Honey?

• What is Maple Syrup?

• Honey VS Maple Syrup: Key Differences

• Nutritional Profiles

• Health Benefits

• Flavor Differences

• Impact on Blood Sugar

What is Raw Honey?

Honey is a nutritious, dense liquid that comes in translucent to dark golden hues. Honey bees forage a wide range of flora to collect different types of nectar inside their stomachs, which they turn into honey inside the hives.

Bees break down the nectar with the help of enzymes in their stomachs. They regurgitate this nectar and store it in honeycombs for further processing. To eliminate moisture from the nectar, bees flap their wings, and this evaporation creates thick and sweet honey that we all love. This delicate natural processing gives honey its unique sweetness as well as texture.

Raw honey is among the very few natural sweeteners that boast an amazing nutritional profile. It is rich in antioxidants, minerals, and enzymes, which make every spoonful healthy and flavorful at the same time.

Research shows 38% of global consumers prefer honey over refined sugar because of perceived natural health benefits.

What is Maple Syrup?

This natural sweetener comes from the sap of maple trees. To make this syrup, professionals drill small holes inside maple trees in early spring seasons usually at night. Then they insert a spile or tap, which helps you collect the sap in a bucket.

Next up you boil the sap to eliminate the water. As the sap boils foam or impurities may appear on its surface which you can easily skim off. After some time, the solution gets darker and thicker. 

Finally you can strain the hot syrup through the filter to get raw maple syrup, which is rich in nutrients and antioxidants.

Honey VS Maple Syrup: Key Differences

Both raw and organic honey and maple syrup are popular natural sweeteners that come with exceptional health benefits. This section lists some key differences between the two to give you a clear picture.

1. Nutritional Profiles

A single tablespoon of honey and maple syrup gives you the following nutrients.

2. Health Benefits

The following are some notable health benefits of raw honey that make it a perfect natural sweetener for your healthy lifestyle.

• Honey contains phenolic acids, which help with diabetes management.

• Honey’s antibacterial properties make it an effective remedy for the flu.

• Honey has microbial features that protect as well as heal your wounds.

• Honey’s prebiotic effects support healthy digestion.

• It lowers your LDL and stabilizes your cholesterol levels.

• Honey’s healthy enzymes, like glucose oxidase, regulate your metabolism and support digestive health.

• Honey-based face masks rejuvenate your skin.

The following health benefits make maple honey a suitable natural sweetener for people who are looking to eat healthier.

• Maple syrup is rich in polyphenolic antioxidants, which protect your cells from oxidative stress.

• This syrup contains abscisic acid which improves insulin sensitivity and regulates your blood sugar levels.

• Maple syrup has nearly four times the amount of minerals like potassium or calcium as honey.

• The high manganese content of maple syrup makes it useful for your bone health and metabolism.

• Low GI of maple syrup aids in diabetes management.

3. Flavor Differences

Honey comes in an aromatic or floral flavor with a thick consistency. You can also find honey in herbal or molasses-like flavors. This sweetener goes well with the following items.

• Teas

• Yogurt

• Baked goods

• Marinades

• Milkshakes

• Salad Dressings

• Cottage Cheese

Maple syrup features a smooth caramel-like flavor with earthy notes. It pairs perfectly with the following foods.

• Pancakes

• Oatmeal

• Salad dressings

• Glazes

• Granola

• Scones

• Biscotti

• BBQ Sauces

4. Impact on Blood Sugar

According to a study honey is rich in fructose and it tastes sweeter per unit than table sugar, which means you need less of it to get the same sweetness.

Though both honey and maple syrup are natural sweeteners, they can still raise your blood sugar levels. A single maple syrup serving gives you about 16 grams of sugars with a GI of 54. On the other hand a serving of honey gives you 17 grams of sugars with a GI of 60.

Honey however, contains more fructose, which prevents sudden blood sugar spikes. Maple syrup contains more sucrose, which breaks down into glucose and fructose in equal parts. The glycemic index of maple syrup is lower, which means it can also keep your blood sugar levels stable.

The key here is to consume these sweeteners in moderation which reduces complication risks.

Conclusion

Maple syrup and honey are beneficial natural sweeteners that possess a lower glycemic index. Both sweeteners are healthier alternatives to table sugar. Maple syrup’s mineral content is slightly greater. Its low-carb content further makes it better for people who wish to manage their blood sugar levels.

Honey on the other hand possesses exceptional antioxidant and antibacterial properties. It is also rich in probiotics as well as healthy vitamins that keep your immunity strong.

Both of these natural sweeteners have their own plus points. However experts suggest you should always consume these in moderation. This ensures you are able to enjoy your favorite foods without risking your health.

Visit us at Geohoney today to check out our vast collection of pure, raw, monofloral honey varieties that offer amazing health benefits with unparalleled flavor.

FAQs

Is honey a healthier option than maple syrup?

Both of these natural sweeteners have similar vitamin, antioxidant, and mineral contents. Maple syrup is slightly better in terms of mineral content and low GI. Honey on the other hand has more than 200 bioactive compounds that benefit your health in many ways.

 What is the best alternative to regular sugar, honey or maple syrup?

The GI of maple syrup is much less than that of regular sugar. The GI of honey is also less than that of sugar, but it is slightly higher than that of maple syrup. This makes both of these sweeteners a better alternative.

What are some disadvantages of maple syrup?

Maple syrup is rich in natural sugars. Its excessive consumption is bad for people with heart problems or diabetes. Its regular use can also lead to weight gain.

Is it ok for diabetics to eat honey or maple syrup?

Both the maple syrup and honey raise blood sugar slowly due to their lower GIs than refined sugar. This prevents sugar spikes, which makes them a better option for diabetics.

Does honey have any effect on your LDL?

Honey lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol levels by 6% and triglyceride levels by 11%. This makes it a better option for people who are prone to heart diseases.

Which natural sweetener is better for cholesterol maple syrup or honey?

Both honey and maple syrup are cholesterol-free. They lower LDL and boost HDL which regulates your cholesterol levels.