Maple Syrup Benefits and Aphrodisiac Use

It’s hard to think of maple syrup as a health food. But this seductive sweetener is a natural energy booster. And maple syrup benefits also include some surprising nutrients. Best of all as far as I’m concerned, this distinctive syrup has an aphrodisiac history.

The aphrodisiac power of maple syrup

When you stop to consider, it is easy to appreciate maple syrup’s seductive attributes. Its flavor is far more complex than a corn-based sweetener, its color darker, more 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

Maple syrup benefits 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. This sweetener is a great source of manganese. Seriously–a serving has more than 100% of the recommended daily intake! And in case you didn’t know it, manganese not only fights free radicals but is specifically essential to the health of the reproductive system.

RELATED: Manganese and Health – why your sex drive needs it to thrive

Although arguably too high in sugar to be called a health 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.

Additional maple syrup health benefits

Maple syrup also contains trace amounts of 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 refined sugars with maple syrup, you have the potential for reaping some anti aging benefits while enjoying the sweet taste of nature’s syrupy gift.

Using maple syrup

If you want to get the most from the benefits of maple syrup, you should start using more of this rich sweetener. And the firs thing you should know about are the grades of maple syrup.

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 all three ambers as well as info on how the U.S. grading differs from Canadian.

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 like this hot cider cocktail recipe, you’ll probably want an A grade.

Discover more of the world’s greatest aphrodisiac foods