The reason for this switch is most maple syrups are a highly-processed product. The primary ingredient in the processed syrups is corn syrup and/or high-fructose corn syrup.
High fructose corn syrup
Some experts suggest that high-fructose corn syrup may be processed by the body differently than other types of sugar, while others say that there is little difference. Corn is the biggest GMO crop, meaning it is a genetically modified organism where the DNA of the seeds has been altered in order to more easily grow bigger ears of corn. It may look to be healthy, but even the bugs won’t eat it, or if they do they die.
What happens when you put that corn (that the bugs won’t eat) in your body—what do you think it does to your body?
What happens is that it makes your body toxic and starts to change and mutate your cells, which is what cancer is. Most processed things are made with corn. Corn products come in many varieties, like corn syrup and corn starch. The main problem with corn is that we have no original seeds, it is all GMO. This means the seeds DNA has been changed, added to, and taken away, and this modified genetics then alters your genetics. Maybe not so bad for your life time here, but passing mutated genetics on generation after generation, we then start to have major issues.
But there are many by-products of corn that the industry has given different names and labels to make it difficult to identify the true source. This is one reason why cutting out processed foods is important.
Coloring
You’ll also find added coloring, flavoring, and preservatives in pancake syrup. The coloring is often caramel color. Some types of caramel color contain a compound called 4-MEI, a potential carcinogen. In Consumer Reports tests, they found that some pancake syrups had notable amounts of 4-MEI. Saying it bluntly, most “maple syrups” are not actually maple syrup.
If your family uses a lot of syrup this is a simple switch for you. You want a maple syrup for pancakes and baking that has one simple ingredient: pure maple.
Costco’s Kirkland brand is the best deal by far from what I have found. It is pure, organic maple syrup for around $12.
Want a recipe for pancakes? Check out the recipe for Honey Whole Wheat Pancakes.