Loading... Please wait... |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
My Cart
HOME- Home
- Maple Syrup News
Maple Syrup News
-
13
Sept.
2011Researchers Uncover a Potential New Benefit of Pure Maple Syrup on Liver Health
New research conducted at the University of Tokyo suggests that pure maple syrup may promote a healthy liver. The pilot study, conducted by Dr. Keiko Abe of the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, showed that healthy laboratory rats fed a diet in which some of the carbohydrate was replaced with pure maple syrup from Canada yielded significantly better results in liver function tests than the control groups fed a diet with a syrup mix containing a similar sugar content as maple syrup. The results will be published in the November, 2011 issue of “Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry.” Although most healthy individuals take liver function for granted, liver health is of great importance because of the hundreds of vital functions it performs that are essential to human life, which include storing energy (glycogen) and regulating blood glucose, the production of certain amino acids (building blocks of protein), filtering harmful substances from the blood. Liver disease not related to alcohol consumption is estimated to affect 25% of people in the United States, according to the American Liver Foundation. It shows up most often in middle aged people who are overweight, have abnormal blood lipids and diabetes or insulin resistance conditions when grouped together, known as metabolic syndrome.
“It is important to understand the factors leading to impaired liver function -- our lifestyle choices including poor diet, stress and lack of exercise, as well as exposure to environmental pollutants that produce tissue-damaging free radicals,” says Dr. Melissa Palmer, clinical professor and medical director of hepatology at New York University Plainview. “The preliminary results of this research are encouraging and emphasize the importance of choosing a healthy diet to help counteract the lifestyle and environmental factors that may impact liver function, even our choice of a sweetener. In addition to Dr. Abe’s recent findings, published research suggests that pure maple syrup may prove to be a better choice of sweetener because it was found to be rich in polyphenolic antioxidants and contains vitamins and minerals,” notes Palmer.
The animals were evaluated using the latest analytical methods including gene expression profiling called nutrigenomics. In the study, rats were fed diets consisting of 20% pure maple syrup, or 20% syrup mixture with similar sugar content as maple syrup. After 11 days, the rats on the maple syrup diet showed significantly decreased levels of liver enzymes AST, ALT and LDH in the blood, standard biomarkers for evaluating liver function. The gene expression profiling observations also suggest a mechanism whereby the maple syrup diet caused genes involved in the production of harmful ammonia in the liver to down-regulate, that is, to be less active.
“This research contributes to our growing understanding of the incredible health potential of maple syrup,” remarked Serge Beaulieu, President of the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers. “We learned previously that maple syrup contains antioxidant compounds that may actually help regulate glucose metabolism and increase insulin release, possibly aiding in the management of type 2 diabetes. And now Dr. Abe is exploring the relationship between maple syrup consumption and liver health. Her current findings give us even more reason to enjoy our maple syrup.”
-
02
August
2011Maine Maple Sugar Industry Task Force Created
Following the emergency passage of LD109; Resolve, To Study the Promotion and Expansion of the Maine Maple Sugar Industry, and Governor Paul LePage’s signature in May, the Maine Maple Syrup Study Commission kicked off its first official meeting this month. On hand to welcome and recognize the newly appointed members to this important new task force were Governor LePage and Deputy Commissioner Caldwell Jackson of the Maine Department of Agriculture.
The members of the commission represent producers from across the state, ranging from less than 200 to greater than 44,000 taps. In addition to staff from the Department of Agriculture, other agencies involved with the commission are the Departments of Conservation and Economic and Community Development, the Office of Tourism, and the Finance Authority of Maine.
The commission’s 11 members were appointed by Maine Department of Agriculture Commissioner Walter Whitcomb, including the chair, Representative Russell Black, District 90, from Wilton, who is also a member of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Legislative Committee ( ACF ), as well as a farmer and maple producer.
This group has been tasked with creating a strong brand for Maine maple sugar products, increasing value-added processing, and expanding current, as well as developing new export markets. “The expansion of one of Maine’s natural resources provides another excellent opportunity for increasing the local economy, job creation, and sustainability,” said Representative Black.
-
14
Jully
20115 Questions with a Foodie: The Richmond Beermeister, Sterling Stokes Jr.
Breakfast
I would start off at Christos Cafe in Orlando, Fla. They make the most awesome deep fried French toast. Compliment that with 2 eggs over easy, sausage, and hash browns.
If I’m at home, I would make blueberry waffles, maple sausage links and eggs. Don’t forget the maple syrup. I order Grade A Dark Amber by the gallon from a farm in New York. Orange juice — I’ll say again “juice” — to drink; no ice please
-
07
June
2011Environmental Commission and donations save the Maple Syrup Festival
With times being tough and difficult choices being made by local governments to cut back and save money, the Maple Syrup Festival and Pancake Breakfast looked like it had come to the end of its 41-year run. But thanks to the generosity of local business and the efforts of the Environmental Commission, the Pancake Breakfast survived to celebrate its 42nd year.
When the Hillsdale Environmental Commission was told that there was no money in the budget this year for the Pancake Breakfast, Commission members set to work to save this annual springtime event. Originally started as a celebration and demonstration of how sap from the many maple trees in Beechwood Park was slowly turned into sweet maple syrup, the event has evolved into a thriving pancake breakfast, which is free to town residents. This year's event was saved thanks in large part to Kings Supermarkets, a long-time supporter of the Pancake Breakfast. ShopRite, Valley Tent Rental, Demarest Farms and Signs of the Time also cane through with generous donations that helped keep the pancake breakfast alive for another year. Additionally, members of the commission took on extra duties to ensure that the event could take place.
Over 750 residents enjoyed a free pancake breakfast at the event. The weather also cooperated and made for a delicious morning for all who attended. The Environmental Commission also lost funding for Arbor Day, another annual event it sponsors. The Arbor Day program gives students in Hillsdale an evergreen tree to plant at home and gifts a tree of their choosing to each of the town's grammar school. Although the commission was unable to save the Arbor Day program this year, they are looking into ways to reestablish this program as well.
Store
secure transactions powered by paypal
