Coconut Sugar Explained

What is Coconut Sugar?

Coconut sugar is a natural sugar derived from the unopened flower bud of the coconut tree (Cocos nucifera). It is not highly processed with no additives, bleaching agents, or any chemicals needed to make it. In fact, the only processing that takes place is heating the coconut sap to evaporate its water content. It is considered healthier and more nutritious than other natural and artificial sugar substitutes due to its low Glycaemic Index (GI), vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Although new to the Western world, it has a long and proud history in coconut communities from the South Pacific to South Asia.

It is not palm sugar. Some palm sugars are derived from Palmyra as well as other varieties of palm family. Coconut sugar specifically comes from the coconut tree (Cocos nucifera). Palm sugars do not have the same health benefits or low GI as Coconut sugar.

Note: It is culturally acceptable in parts of Asia for some manufacturers to mix Coconut sugar with regular cane sugar and malt, and market it as "palm sugar" or "coconut palm sugar". If you want Coconut sugar's health benefit then read the label and make sure that it is made from 100% pure coconut palm/coconut blossom nectar.

Coconut sugar's taste is reminiscent of brown sugar but with a slight hint of caramel. It can be used as a 1:1 sugar substitute. You can use it for your coffee, tea, baking and cooking. Coconut sugar is quickly gaining popularity as a viable sugar substitute with people who want to watch their calorie and sugar intake. Coconut sugar's low GI provides you with long sustained energy, won't spike your blood sugar like regular sugar and keeps you feeling full for longer.

Health benefits

Coconut nectar has a high mineral content. It is a rich source of potassium, magnesium, zinc and iron. In addition to this it contains Vitamin B1, B2, B3 and B6. When compared to brown sugar, Coconut sugar has twice the iron, four times the magnesium and over 10 times the amount of zinc. Coconut sugar is unfiltered, unbleached and preservative free. This chart shows a comparison between cane sugar, brown sugar and coconut sugar and their respective quantities of various minerals.

Making evaporated palm nectar

Farmers climb the coconut palms and collect the sugar blossom nectar at least twice per day by carefully slicing the long flower bud. Once harvested the nectar is dehydrated and crystalized in a simple evaporation process, thereby preserving the valuable nutritional profile of fresh coconut nectar. Niulife pure coconut sugar contains no Palm Sugar, Malt Filler, Cane Sugar Filler or other additive.

 

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS of the Macro and Micro Nutrient contents of three types of sugar
Type of sugar	Macro Nutrient
	mg/L (ppm)
	N	P	K	Ca	Mg	Na	Cl	S
Cane Sugar	0.0	0.7	25	80	10	10	100	20
Brown Sugar	100	30	650	240	70	20	180	130
Coconut Palm Sugar	2020	790	10300	0	290	450	4700	260

Amino Acid and Vitamin Content

Coconut sugar is made from 100% coconut nectar which is rich in 17 amino acids needed to build the proteins used in growth, repair and maintenance of body tissues, enzymes, and hormones.

The main amino acid found in coconut nectar is glutamine. Glutamine has been studied extensively over the past 10-15 years and has been shown to be useful in support of injury, trauma, burns, as well as in wound healing for postoperative patients. It is known to reduce healing time after operations. It is essential for the body to perform its natural healing process in states of illness or injury.

Amino Acid Content of Coconut Sugar

Amino Acid	Value (g/100g protein)
Trytophan	1.27
Lysine	0.32
Histidine	1.19
Arginine	0.35
Aspartic Acid	11.22
Threonine	15.36
Serine	8.24
Glutamic Acid	34.20
Proline	3.52
Glycine	0.47
Alanine	2.56
Valine	2.1
Methionine	-
Isoleucine	0.38
Leucine	0.48
Tyrosine	0.31
Phenylalanine	0.78

Vitamin Content

Coconut Sugar is made from 100% coconut nectar rich in various vitamins, including twelve of the essential vitamin B complex. Inositol, sometimes referred to as vitamin B8, is high in coconut sugar. Inositol is required by the body for the formation of healthy cells. A lack of Inositol may lead to depression, anxiety, OCD and other psychological disorders that respond to serotonin uptake inhibitors. Healthy levels of Inositol help you avoid the moody blues!

Vitamin	Value (mg/l)
Thiamine	770
Riboflavin	122
Pyridoxine
ParaAminobenzoic Acid	387-471
Pyridoxal	384
Pantothenic Acid	52
Nicotinic Acid	406
Biotin	2
Folic Acid	2
Inositol	1277
Choline	90
Vitamin B12	trace

Sports Performance Plus

Niulife Coconut Sugar has an incredible content of electrolytes readily available to re-energize your body when it is under the stress of intense competition. Re-charge with coconut sugar and a glass of water at half time to re-hydrate and boost energy levels naturally without the unwanted artificial colourings, additives and poor-performing refined sugars found in some commercial sports drinks.

Macro-nutrients (mg / l or ppm, dry)	Coconut Sugar
Nitrogen (N)	2,020
Phosphorus (P)	790
Potassium (K)	10,300
Calcium (Ca)	60
Magnesium (Mg)	290
Sodium (Na)	450
Chlorine (Cl)	4,700
Sulfur (S)	260
Boron (B)	6
Zinc (Zn)	21
Manganese (Mn)	1
Iron (Fe)	22
Copper (Cu)	2

Coconut Sugar is naturally low on the Glycemic Index (GI), and along with a balanced diet, calorie control and exercise, as prescribed by their Doctor - has benefits for weight control and improving glucose and lipid levels in people with diabetes. Coconut sugars are rated as a GI 35. By comparison, most commercial Agaves are GI 42, Honeys are GI 55 and Cane Sugars are GI 68.

The major component of Niulife coconut sugar is sucrose (91%) followed by glucose and fructose (1-2%) of each. Minor variations will occur, due to differences in primary processing, raw material source, tree age and variety of coconut.

Coconut palm nectar has a nutritional content far richer than all other commercially available sweeteners. It is especially high in Potassium, Magnesium, Zinc and Iron (similar to coconut water) and is a natural source of the vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and C. It’s also very rich in other minerals and enzymes which aid in the slow absorption into the bloodstream.