In Indonesia, the coconut palm (cocos nucifera) is known as "the tree of a thousand uses". In the Philippines, "the tree of life". And one of the benefits that can be taken from a palm tree is "coconut sugar"
A traditional sweetener throughout Asia, Organic Coconut Sugar is made by tapping the nectar from the palm tree's flowers, then heating it in large drums to evaporate the moisture. This produces sugar crystals that are very similar to brown sugar, with sinfully sweet flavor and subtle caramel overtones. You can use it for baking, as a sweetener for your coffee or tea, to top oatmeal or other hot cereals, or to add an exotic sweetness to sauces or even cocktails. Of course, in addition to having a sweet taste that is perfect, palm sugar it also can be a friend for people with diabetes. Yes, because the coconut sugar contains better nutrition and safe to be consumed by diabetics.
Chemically speaking, 70% of coconut sugar is identical to table sugar. It is a disaccharide called sucrose, made up of 2 monosaccharides: glucose and fructose. The rest of coconut sugar is composed of the individual molecules of fructose and glucose, as well as trace minerals.
From a caloric perspective, coconut sugar is identical to table sugar, 4 calories per gram. But despite being so similar, the glycemic index of coconut sugar (36) is substantially lower than that of table sugar (60). Glycemic index (GI) is a measure of how a food affects blood glucose after being consumed. The higher the GI, the more of a spike you will experience in your blood glucose.
So although some researchers say coconut sugar is identical to table sugar, but many studies have shown that coconut sugar is a healthier substitute sweetener and safe for consumption for everyone (in reasonable doses)
