All of us are aware of the very delicious maple water. Maple water is a healthy alternative to the sugary drinks. You can use it instead of sugar and reap numerous health benefits.
Over the time, some studies have been done to determine the health benefits of maple water.
So, before knowing the benefits of maple water, let us get a brief detail about what maple water is.
What is Maple Water?
Maple water is the clear, beneficial liquid that is obtained from the maple tree. It is the nourishing maple sap. This liquid is obtained mostly during the spring. It undergoes various natural processes that mix it with all the important nutrients stored in the tree. It is very tasty and has numerous health benefits.
What is the Nutritional Value of Maple Water?
The water in maple sap is present in about 95-97.5 percent. It is rich in sucrose and an excellent source of minerals, oligosaccharides, amino acids, phenolic and organic compounds.
Maple water is a source of 46 bioactive compounds, and few of them acts as antioxidants. It also contains minerals healthy for our bones such as potassium, zinc, manganese, and calcium.
It also has derived plant compounds like phenolics. The compounds have an essential biological impact which is crucial to human health.
Vitamins, polyphenols, and nutrients can be helpful for treating thyroid as it contains vitamins, nutrients, and polyphenols. It is very beneficial part of a diet that helps to prevent diabetes.
Health Benefits of Maple Water
Since maple water is highly nutritious, some of the health benefits of maple water are mentioned below:
1) Regulates the Blood Sugar Level
According to a new study, maple sap is a source of Abscisic Acid or ABA. ABA helps to regulate the blood pressure and is beneficial for people who have type 2 diabetes. It is also helpful for people suffering from inflammation due to obesity.
2) Prevents Inflammatory Diseases
Maple water is a source of 24 antioxidants. The antioxidants are present in the form of phenolic compounds that fight the free radical damage which leads to inflammation. It can lead to various severe problems like inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disorder, and arthritis.
3) Chemo Preventing Effects for Cancer
Plant foods contain a bioactive substance known as polyphenols. Plant foods contain a bioactive substance known as polyphenols. Ginnalins A-C is essential polyphenols found in sap and different sugar parts. Ginnalins A-C is also present in types of red maple.
Research studies have stated that the polyphenols of maple have the property of chemo-preventive effects of cancer. It remains restored during the time of cell cycle arrest.
4) Beneficial for Bone Health
Maple water contains magnesium that helps to promote the bone health. As per a study in British Journal of Nutrition, the researchers examined a kind of maple sap, Acer mono also called ‘bone-benefit-water’ in Korea. It was examined upon mice who were on a low-magnesium diet.
In their diet, this maple sap was added. Mice who were fed with 50 percent and 100 percent of the maple sap showed a normal level of calcium serum in comparison to the ones who were given either spring water or 25 percent of the maple sap.
In the other group (spring water and 25 percent of maple concentration), they also showed the reduced density of the thigh bone and length. The researchers also added that 50 percent of the maple sap concentration could lessen the risk of osteoporosis. It could limit the symptoms caused by a low calcium diet with the help of calcium ion absorption.
5) Cures Tonsils, Sore Throat & Mouth Ulcers
One of the main health benefits of maple water includes curing tonsils, sore throat, and mouth ulcers. It can disinfect the affected areas and heal the problems. It is an efficient antiseptic, that cure problem such as angina. Maple water is also used for sanitizing wounds.
6) Lowers Risk of Hangovers
Maple sap can have the same effect as that of coconut water. Maple sap can also lessen the risk of the hangover.
According to a 2011 study in International Journal of Molecular Medicine, sap can help to lower the blood concentration of alcohol and its metabolism byproduct, acetaldehyde.
It helped to lower the concentration of blood in rats fed with 25 percent, 50 percent and 100 percent of the maple sap 30 minutes before drinking alcohol. The study further stated that the level of two liver enzymes utilized for alcohol metabolism, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) increased in the rats who were given maple sap before they drank alcohol.
Therefore, the study indicates that drinking maple sap before drinking alcohol can help to enhance the rate at which the body metabolizes alcohol. It implies that maple sap can help to lessen the risk as well as the seriousness of hangover.
7) Treats Rheumatic Pains
Maple water can be very beneficial for treating rheumatic pains. It is a vital source of the anti-neuralgic substance that helps to cure pain. It also helps to reduce the swelling caused by arthritis.
8) Great Source of Electrolytes
Maple water contains electrolytes similar to that of coconut water. Maple water keeps the body hydrated and is an excellent source of electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
9) Beneficial for Skin Problems
Recent findings have proved that using maple sap as a moisturizer can help to treat skin conditions like acne and eczema. Drinking the liquid itself can have a lot of benefits. Maple water can aid in rejuvenating the skin cells and enhances the skin texture.
Maple water can also be beneficial for curing problems caused by inflammation. The German people used Maple leaves to cure skin problems and wounds as it helped to transport excess water from tissues.
10) Reduced Levels of Natural Sugar and Calories
The calorie in maple water is very few with that of 500ml of maple water has only 45 calories. Therefore it contains half the calories of mineral waters like coconut. Maple water has very fewer calories and only 2 percent of the sugar.
Therefore, maple water is a healthy alternative option for drinks rich in sugar such as various fruit juices and sports drinks.
Coconut Water vs. Maple Water
The health benefits of maple water were compared to that of coconut water. The results showed that they are almost the same by the nutritional breakdown of water.
Coconut water, as well as maple water, are an excellent source of electrolytes, phytonutrients, and potassium. The only difference is that maple water contains and essential chemical, Saponin which is not found in coconut water. Saponin helps to maintain the healthy level of blood cholesterol in the body.
Final Thoughts
Maple Water is one of those drinks which can help to solve many problems though there are several myths related to it. However, maple water affects your body at a slow rate, but it does work if you make sure to drink it in moderate amounts rather than the excessive ones.
Though not fully, maple water can help to solve your problems up to a certain extent. Although maple water may not completely help to stop hair loss, it will help to prevent hair loss. Since it is such a beneficial drink, you should include it in your daily diet.