Maple Syrup Could Be Good for Your Health [Video]

Eating maple syrup, instead of more refined sugars, may reduce the risk of metabolic disease, according to a Canadian study.

“We know from decades of research that maple syrup is more than just sugar,” Dr. André Marette, lead scientist on the study, said in a statement. “It contains over 100 natural compounds, including polyphenols, that are known to prevent disease in part through their anti-inflammatory effects.”

Metabolic disease is an umbrella term given to obesity and related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, insulin resistance and heart disease. A high-sugar diet and inflammation are two known risk factors for metabolic disease, and there has long been a debate among nutrition experts and scientists as to whether all forms of sugar are equally harmful to health.

“Because the fundamental chemistry of maple syrup is unique, I wondered if ingesting maple syrup instead of an equivalent amount of refined …