Disclaimer: The findings discussed are lab based and further studies need to be done.
The maple tree is considered a medicinal plant, and its products, functional foods. A functional food provides health benefits in addition to macro- and micro-nutrients. But how do we know this to be true about Maple Products?
A University of Rhode Island study looked at a phenolic-enriched maple syrup extract (MSX) and studied its potential health benefits. Having strong antioxidant properties, the extract was also tested to see its potential protective effects.
Laboratory assays, such as gel electrophoresis, were used to measure the strand breaks in the DNA of HaCaT cells. The results showed that Maple syrup extract was able to reduce DNA damage by 47.5%. The extract also showed to protect the integrity of DNA of HaCaT cells from induced DNA damage.
Through this study and others done by URI maple researchers, maple syrup extract has shown a diverse range of biological activities, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-neuroinflammatory effects.
, , , et al. Phenolic‐enriched maple syrup extract protects human keratinocytes against hydrogen peroxide and methylglyoxal induced cytotoxicity. Dermatologic Therapy. 2020;e13426. https://doi-org.uri.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/dth.13426