Coconut sugar. Is it good or bad? There’s been a lot of talk about coconut sugar lately. Some see it as a sustainable alternative to cane sugar, while others say it isn’t sustainable at all. What are we supposed to believe?

I love coconut sugar and use it often in my kitchen but it’s no miracle food and it is still… sugar. It’s just not as processed as refined sugar and has some minerals in it.

One thing that comes up a lot when we discuss this natural sweetener is whether it’s a sustainable product or not. Some sources claim it isn’t sustainable and others say it is. I’d like to explain both sides and leave you with the information to make up your own mind on the matter.

What exactly is coconut sugar?

At its heart, coconut sugar, or coconut palm sugar, is a sugar made from the sap from a coconut tree. Remember when you were a kid and you learned how maple syrup comes from draining it out of a maple tree? It’s pretty much the same process!

Okay, so there’s one more step than in maple syrup. But still. This is a sweetener with a very natural process.

In terms of taste, coconut sugar has a caramel-like flavor with a hint of coconut, although the coconut flavor is subtle and not overpowering. It can be used as a 1:1 substitute for regular sugar in most recipes and is great for baking, cooking, and sweetening beverages.

Potential benefits of coconut sugar

Let’s start with some reasons why someone may consider using coconut sugar.

Contains trace minerals

Unlike refined sugar, coconut sugar is a natural sugar that retains small amounts of nutrients like iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium, as well as antioxidants and inulin, a type of dietary fiber. However, the amounts of these nutrients are generally quite low.

Lower glycemic index

Coconut sugar has a slightly lower glycemic index than regular table sugar, meaning it doesn’t cause blood sugar levels to spike as fast. This can be beneficial for people who need to manage their blood sugar levels, such as those with diabetes.

Less processed

A lot of people also like the fact that the process behind making coconut sugar is very simple. Not a lot of processing! It’s much less processed compared to refined white sugar, which involves chemical treatments and bleaching. Coconut sugar is typically made by evaporating the sap from coconut palm flowers, so it retains more of its natural nutrients and compounds.

However, in the pursuit of health (and coconut love) people forget that it has just as many calories as regular sugar.

Coconut sugar also has just as much fructose as regular sugar, which is just a fancy way of saying it’s still sugar in the end. It just happens to have a little extra coconutty goodness thrown in.

If you’re interested in trying coconut sugar you can find it at most grocery stores now, health food stores, or online here. We’ve also put together this list of the 5 best coconut sugar brands you can buy!

 

Is coconut sugar sustainable?

The real controversy around coconut sugar is whether it’s actually sustainable or not.

What does that mean?

Well, it’s all about your definition of sustainability. We have to consider factors like resource efficiency, environmental impact, and the impact on coconut trees.

Coconut trees are highly efficient in terms of sugar production. They produce more sugar per acre compared to regular cane sugar, which means more yield with less land use.

However, there’s a significant caveat to consider. When coconut trees are tapped for sap to produce coconut sugar, they are transformed into “sap trees” and no longer produce coconuts. Not good!

Coconuts are a vital resource in many tropical regions, providing food, water, and various materials for local communities. By redirecting coconut trees to sap production, there’s a risk of disrupting people’s livelihoods and reducing the availability of these essential resources.

Coconut sugar production can still be sustainable, depending on how it’s produced. Look for sources with certifications from reputable organizations such as Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, USDA Organic, or others that verify sustainable and ethical practices in the production process.

The final verdict

Coconut sugar is good for meeting some needs and isn’t good at fulfilling others. Coconut sugar is a good natural sweetener for those looking to avoid highly processed sugars. But remember: it’s still a type of sugar. It’s just a different kind than the white stuff in the big bag selling for 99 cents!

If you’re really trying to decrease your sugar intake, I suggest looking into alternatives like monk fruit sweetener.

As for whether or not coconut sugar is sustainable, it’s up to you to decide if it fits your personal standards of sustainability. But whatever you decide, I’d love to hear your thoughts and concerns on this coconut product!

This article was originally written on December 31, 2015, and has recently been updated.

Links on this page may be affiliate links, for which the site earns a small commission, but the price for you is the same