If your diet dictates a sugar substitute, Canadian researchers suggest pure maple syrup. Earlier research showed pure maple syrup is more than just sugar—that it also contains over a hundred health affirming compounds. Lead scientist Dr. Andre Marette wondered if ingesting maple syrup instead of a similar amount of sugar would benefit cardiometabolic health in humans. He did not expect to see so many improvements of risk factors within a relatively short time. Among the benefits were lowered blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure, reduced abdominal fat and improved levels of beneficial gut bacteria. The study, in the Journal of Nutrition, was funded by the Quebec Department of Agriculture and the Quebec Maple Syrup Producers.