(PR.co.nz) In the competitive world of sport every little morsel of food that goes past our lips can either gain you competitive advantage + or disadvantage – . When training technique and genetic potential are multiplied with mental attitude there is only one other major variable left – fuel.
As all of these aspects become more refined – gone are the days when you could fill your body with empty calories and food that subtracts from performance – even on the off season. One food group which has a major influence on our metabolism and maybe even our hormone system is food sweeteners; the most common is cane sugar and synthetic sugar substitute.
A natural sweetener which has flown under the radar till recently is coconut sugar. With everything coconut being hailed as good for us lately we felt it was time to review the benefits of coconut sugar for the athlete.
We have heard of the coconut water craze made popular by certain American superstars as a natural healthier alternative to sports drinks for efficient rehydration. The water which comes from young green coconuts saved thousands of allied troops in the pacific during World War 11. When saline solution ran out the drip was connected directly to the green coconut and the patient with many lives saved. The young green coconut by chance has an electrolyte balance very similar to our own as well as an abundance of vitamins and nutrients essential for turning a young coconut into a mature one. In addition it was sterile; the technique of transfusing coconut water is still recognized and taught today in emergency medicine.
Pure coconut sugar does not come from the coconut; it is tapped and drained from the coconut flower before the flower turns into the nut. As we can see from the charts below the sugar retains a lot of similar attributes to coconut water. When looking for a sweetener which can ad advantage without sacrificing taste coconut sugar deservedly should be at the top of your list.
PURE COCONUT SUGAR
Contains no : Palm Sugar
Malt filler
Cane sugar filler
Other additives
It is Pure 100% Coconut Sugar from the coconut flower before it forms into the coconut.
Harvesters climb the coconut tree twice per day to collect the nectar which is drained from the coconut flower. It is dehydrated and crystalized with virtually no processing, preserving the immense nutritional profile which exists in pure coconut sugar.
What is Coconut Sugar?
Coconut sugar is a natural sugar derived from the flowers of the coconut trees (cocos nucifera). It is also not highly processed as no additives, bleaching agents, or any chemicals are needed to make it. In fact, the only processing that takes place is heating the coconut sap to evaporate its water content. It is also considered to be healthier compared to other natural and artificial sugar substitutes. It has a low glycaemic index and is more nutritious than typical granulated sugar. Although new to the western world, it has been around and been used as a traditional sweetener for generations particularly in South East Asian countries where the coconut tree grows in abundance.
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). To put it another way, coconut sugar is a palm sugar but NOT all palm sugars are coconut sugar. This is a very important distinction as other palm sugars do not have the same health benefits or low G.I index as coconut sugar. Some manufacturers mix coconut sugar with regular cane sugar, malt and market it as “palm sugar”. If you would like to take advantage of coconut sugar’s health benefits, read the label and make sure that it is made from 100% pure coconut palm/coconut flower sap.
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.
For further information see http://www.matakanasuperfoods.com/ms/products/pure-coconut-sugar.html
Media Release on 18 November 2011 for Matakana Superfoods
Contact Information:
Matakana superfoods
Kevin Glucina
Email: gluc@xtra.co.nz
Phone: 021 457 888
Website: www.matakanasuperfoods.com