It’s hard to think of maple syrup as a health food. But this seductive sweetener is a natural energy booster. And that’s not where maple syrup sex benefits end. Discover why this delicious sugar alternative is an aphrodisiac and how it might give your sex life a boost.
Why is maple syrup aphrodisiac?
When you stop to consider it, it’s easy to appreciate maple syrup’s seductive attributes. Its flavor is far more complex than corn syrup, its color is dark, rich and somewhat mysterious. Like honey, it can give the body that quick fix of energy at a key moment but it adds a more distinctive flavor to foods than its golden cousin.
RELATED: Honey – Aphrodisiac and Health Benefits
There’s even something romantic about the way maple syrup is produced. It is the sap of the maple sugar tree. The trees are tapped and the sap is collected and then boiled down to make this deep amber syrup. It is truly a simple gift from Mother Nature.
How maple syrup can benefit sexual health
Maple syrup’s attributes are more extensive than its obvious charms. Although it’s loaded with sugar, you can (sort of) say that maple syrup is good for you. It is a surprising source of nutrients important to your sex life.
This sweetener is a source of manganese. And in case you didn’t know, manganese not only fights free radicals but is specifically essential to the health of the reproductive system.
Although arguably too high in sugar to be called a healthy food, maple syrup is also a source of zinc, a nutrient essential for healthy blood flow (without which, orgasm becomes an impossibility). And it’s worth mentioning that zinc is also important in the prevention of prostate cancer.
Just keep in mind that a 1/3 cup of maple syrup translates to 60 grams of sugar. And excessive use of sugar – even natural sugar like maple syrup – is associated with many health problems including type-2 diabetes and heart disease. And these health problems will also negatively impact sex drive and sexual performance.
Some surprising maple syrup benefits to overall health
Maple syrup contains trace amounts of several nutrients to support health including calcium, potassium and iron. But more remarkably, it may be a rich source of antioxidants. According to the Canadian Forestry Service, one study on Canadian maple syrup revealed 24 different antioxidants.
As an occasional sweetener, maple syrup’s antioxidants probably don’t offer much benefit. But by replacing table sugar and high fructose corn syrup with maple syrup, you have the potential to reap some anti-aging benefits while enjoying the sweet taste of nature’s syrupy gift.
A (small) maple syrup health benefit is that this sweetener has a lower glycemic index than table sugar. This means it is less likely to cause a blood sugar spike and crash. (Please keep in mind that too much maple syrup can still spike blood sugar.)
Obviously, the best way to avoid a sugar spike is to reduce sugars altogether but when you’re craving sweet, maple syrup is clearly a superior choice to table sugar.
So is maple syrup good for you? This is tricky to answer. It has some clear benefits to sexual health and overall health. However, it must be used in moderation, preferably as a replacement for other sweeteners that are lacking in nutritional benefits like table sugar and artificial sweeteners.
If you have any question about what moderation means for you, please consult a medical professional.
Can you use maple syrup for sex?
Since this article is about maple syrup as an aphrodisiac, we need to discuss one rumored use for maple syrup. There is an urban myth that maple syrup will improve orgasm when it is used as a sexual lubricant. This is not true and maple syrup should never be used as lube by anyone, ever.
Syrup of any kind can be detrimental to vaginal health and can lead to infection if it is used as a sexual lubricant. The Cleveland Clinic offers a solid list of alternatives if you’re looking for homemade lube.
Best ways to use maple syrup
If you want to get the most from the benefits of maple syrup, you should start using more of this rich sweetener as a replacement for less nutritious sugars and chemical sweeteners. But before you start adding it to your cooking, you should know about the grades of maple syrup.
Understanding maple syrup grades
In the United States, maple syrup is divided up into A grade and B grade. There are three different categories of A grade maple syrup. There’s light amber, medium amber and dark amber. Here’s more information on maple syrup grades from the University of New Hampshire.
I’d say that for most of us the big thing to know is that the B grade is darker and has a more pronounced flavor. If you’re going to bake with maple syrup, this is the type you probably want to buy. But for a cocktail recipe, you’ll probably want an A grade.
Recipes
Cacao and Raspberry Oatmeal
Homemade Chocolate Almond Creamer
Roasted Winter Squash with Whole Grains
Spiced Tart Cherry Juice Mocktail
Of course, you can always use it to sweeten homemade pancakes!
Discover more of the world’s greatest aphrodisiac foods
This article was written in 2011 and most recently updated in January 2022.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It should not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here are not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional.
Amy is considered a leading authority on aphrodisiacs. Her work in aphrodisiacs is quoted in publications including National Geographic, The New York Times, Epicurious, Wine Enthusiast, Health and Playboy magazines. She speaks internationally on aphrodisiac foods and has brought her knowledge of aphrodisiac history and science to national television shows including The Today Show and CBS Early Show. She is a frequent guest on relationship and lifestyle radio and podcast shows and has been interviewed by BBC and NPR radio, Cosmopolitan radio and popular podcasts including My Dad Wrote a Porno.
Amy is also a freelance food, wine and health researcher and writer as well as a wine competition judge. Her work has appeared in publications ranging from Variety to The Daily Meal. She is an MSN content provider. And she is also a former wine editor for Gayot.com and wine & spirits editor of Las Vegas magazine.
Fun fact: Amy was the creator of the first ever comprehensive food and wine apps, Amy Reiley's Pocket Gourmet and Amy Reiley's Pocket Vineyard for Palm.
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