Health

100% pure maple syrup is a natural source of energy containing vitamins and minerals. Consumed in moderation, it can be part of a healthy and sustainable diet.

Maple! It’s So Good!

Let’s talk about some of its qualities:

  • Unique
    Maple syrup is the only food that comes from the sap of a tree. Mostly, the tree is either the sugar maple (Acer saccharum) or the red maple (Acer rubrum), two species found mainly in Québec.
  • 100% Pure and Natural
    Maple syrup is made by concentrating the tree sap. And that’s it—no added sugar, colouring, artificial flavouring, preservatives—no additives at all. Making maple syrup requires no antibiotics, antiparasitics, pesticides, herbicides, or growth promoters.
  • Nutritious
    Provides vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, amino and organic acids, and significant amounts of polyphenols and phytohormones.
  • Versatile
    As an ingredient, it can be used in recipes for everything from starter to dessert, and in both sweet and savoury preparations. These culinary qualities, combined with its nutritional composition and health benefits, make maple an advantageous alternative to other sweetening agents.
  • Eco-Friendly
    A strong asset to Québec’s economy and ecosystem.
  • Delicious!

A Bioactive Blend

Maple sap is a unique cocktail of bioactive molecules—vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, amino and organic acids, phytohormones, and polyphenols—that maintains the health of the tree. Maple syrup has vitamins and minerals, more than other common sweeteners (honey, corn syrup, brown sugar, agave syrup). In fact, maple syrup holds all the compounds naturally present in the sap, but in 40 times greater proportions.

In addition to its natural sugars, vitamins, and mineral nutrients, maple syrup is a source of energy. Numerous athletes rely on it before, during, and after training. Sports drinks and snacks made at home with 100% pure Québec maple are generally considered healthy, smart choices.

Manganese contributes to energy metabolism. A 60 ml serving of maple syrup provides 72% of the daily nutritional requirement for manganese.

Riboflavin contributes to energy metabolism and tissue formation. A 60 ml serving of maple syrup provides 27% of the daily nutritional requirement for riboflavin.

Copper contributes to good health. A 60 ml serving of maple syrup provides 17% of the daily nutritional requirement for copper

Calcium contributes to the formation of bone and tooth structure. A 60 ml serving of maple syrup provides 6% of the daily nutritional requirement for calcium

bioactive phytochemicals with potential health benefits. Maple syrup contains 67 polyphenols, including Quebecol, a unique molecule that forms naturally when sap is boiled to make maple syrup. Scientific research is underway to confirm the antioxidant properties of the polyphenols found in maple syrup. No daily intake recommendation has been established. A 60 ml serving of maple syrup contains 78.2 mg of polyphenols.

Research and innovation are fundamental values for Québec Maple Syrup Producers (QMSP). Our research efforts reveal new knowledge about the composition, properties, and potential health benefits of maple’s ingredients and bioactive compounds. We are eager to share this knowledge. Learn about the latest studies being conducted by our international network of respected scientists at maplescience.org.

QMSP’s research investments are bolstered by those from several granting agencies, government ministries, and private partners. We support our mandates of leadership and innovation in the maple industry with an annual budget of over a million dollars.