What is the Glycemic Index?
The glycemic index is a value assigned to foods based on how slowly or how quickly those foods cause increases in blood glucose levels. Foods low on the glycemic index (GI) scale tend to release glucose slowly and steadily. Foods high on the glycemic index release glucose rapidly. The GI index runs from 0 to 100 and usually uses pure glucose, which has a GI of around 100, as the reference. Slowly absorbed carbohydrates have a low GI rating (55 or below)
What is Coconut Sugar?
Coconut sugar is made from the sap of flower buds from the coconut palm tree. The sap is boiled over moderate heat to evaporate most of its water content. The final product is coconut sugar, which is caramel-coloured and tastes similar to brown sugar.
Coconut sugar retains most of the minerals from the sap as the result of minimally processed or less refined. It contains nutrients such as iron, zinc, calcium, potassium, and antioxidants. Coconut sugar also has a decent amount of inulin, which is a type of soluble fiber that can help slow down the sugar absorbed in your body. This might be related to the glycemic index of coconut sugar.
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Coconut Sugar VS Other Sweeteners Glycemic Index
Coconut sugar has a low glycemic index which ranges from 35 to 54. As mentioned above, due to its inulin content, which is a type of fiber that can slow down sugar absorption. So, coconut sugar will not spike your blood sugar level. An added bonus of consuming foods with a low glycemic index is that you're more likely to have more energy throughout the day.
Compared to your usual table sugar, it has the range between 65 to 75 which is considered a medium to high glycemic index. Another comparison is honey. It has the range between 35 to 87 glycemic index value, depending on the type. Some honey might have a lower glycemic index. But, the honey that you usually find in stores has been pasteurized. Pasteurization results in loss of beneficial nutrients.
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In conclusion, coconut sugar surely has a low glycemic index and has nutrients in it. But it’s important to remember that coconut sugar is still a sugar. There’s no getting away from that. Like with all sugars, it will cause a rise in your blood sugar, but not as much as with cane sugar. It surely is healthier, but you still should treat coconut sugar like regular sugar, so consume it in moderation and sparingly.
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