Made from the sap of maple trees, maple syrup is mostly sucrose — but, because its glycemic load is lower than table sugar, it raises your blood sugar more slowly. It also contains essential minerals, including calcium, potassium, and manganese, making it a popular pick among health-conscious shoppers. But some folks could be duped by “pancake syrups,” which look similar but are usually made with corn syrup and artificial flavors.
Finding Real Maple Syrup
Inspect labels closely: Imposter syrups may say “maple breakfast syrup” or “pancake syrup.” Also, true maple syrup has only one ingredient: maple sap, which is boiled until it thickens to a syrupy consistency. “There’s no water or sugar added,” says Olmsted. “If you see anything else on the list, there’s a problem.”
Learn More
Watch out for imposters among some of your favorite foods, and learn how to be sure you’re buying the real deal, by reading “How to Find Real Honey, Coffee, Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, Parmesan Cheese, and Maple Syrup,” from which this article was excerpted.
Comments (1)
Good article. I agree wholeheartedly. I have found that locally grown is another great factor to consider.