Scientist reveals health benefits of pure maple syrup

A scientist has discovered 34 new beneficial compounds in pure maple syrup, while also finding five that have not previously been seen in nature.

Speaking at the 241st American Chemical Society's National Meeting, researcher at the University of Rhode Island Navindra Seeram has uncovered a series of new health-giving compounds, which brings the number of these recorded to date to more than twice the previous total.

They have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, he claims, adding that the product could therefore help to combat a variety of diseases.

Diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers are all among the illnesses that could benefit from the compounds found.

However, Mr Seeram does highlight that people should not ingest large quantities of the substance - rather, they should simply choose it over artificially sweetened commercial products.

"I can guarantee you that few, if any, other natural sweeteners have this antioxidant cocktail of beneficial compounds," Mr Seeram comments.

The American Chemical Society is one of the world's largest scientific bodies and has over 163,000 members.