You may want to think twice before smothering your pancakes with imitation maple syrup, typically marketed as pancake syrup. Pancake syrup is an artificial

food made from ingredients such as high fructose corn syrup,

artificial maple flavorings and caramel color. Real, or pure,

maple syrup contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives

and is made from concentrating sap from maple trees through

a process of evaporation.  There are no additives, artificial

flavorings or preservatives found in pure maple syrup.

 

 

Consider The Source

 

Real maple syrup comes from sugar found in sugar maple trees. American Indians were the first to make maple syrup by tapping the sugar maple tree to release the sap from its core. The sap is then boiled to release moisture and concentrate the sugar. As a result, pure maple syrup contains no added or artificial ingredients and is an all-natural food.

 

Imitation syrup is anything but all-natural. Ingredients vary depending on the brand, but most include high-fructose corn syrup as the first ingredient, meaning it makes up the majority of

the product. High-fructose corn syrup is made by processing corn and separating

the sugars glucose and fructose, leaving behind a highly concentrated fructose

syrup. Research now indicates that consuming high-fructose corn

syrup may lead to weight gain and obesity. This

may be because fructose is processed differently

in your body than other sugars. It does not

stimulate insulin secretion and accumulates in

your liver, which may cause a fatty liver,

interruption of hunger signals and possibly

diabetes.  All that from the syrup you used for

your morning pancakes!