Coco sugar seen to combat diabetes

Philippine Coconut Authority-7 manager Deodiro Ravelo said their agency is now promoting the use of coconut sugar for those diagnosed with diabetes.

This as PCA administrator Oscar Garin revealed in a recent press conference that the result of tests conducted on the glycemic index of sugar obtained from the sap of the coconut revealed a glycemic index of 35.

Ravelo said that Trinidad Trinidad, a scientist of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute-Department of Science and Technology, mentioned in the said press conference said the glycemic index or GI is the glucose response of an individual from food relative to a standard glucose solution.

Low GI food is good for proper control and management of diabetes and has been shown to lower total and kill cholesterol. It is also good for weight maintenance therefore prevents and obesity.

However, Ravelo said that coconut sugar for now is more expensive to produce compared with the production of other coconut products such as tuba, lambanog and oil specially now when there is a scarcity of quality seed nuts and planting materials needed to meet the demand of coconut products in the worldwide market.

Coconut sugar is obtained by evaporating sweet toddy through careful boiling in an open vessel then allowed to cool and solidify.

The sap, if distilled, becomes lambanog, if fermented it becomes vinegar and if cooked it becomes sugar.

Ravelo said their agency is optimistic that this new discovery will make a difference in the lives of million of our coconut farmers and as well as on the health of those afflicted with diabetes. - Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP