document: Pour on the Syrup - It 's Good For You Researchers have identified compounds in maple syrup with similar anti-inflammatory or anti-oxidant properties as blueberries , green tea and other '' `` superfoods . '' '' '' `` In our laboratory research we found that several of these compounds possess anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties , which have been shown to fight cancer , diabetes and bacterial illnesses , '' '' said lead researcher Navindra Seeram , assistant professor of pharmacognosy at the University of Rhode Island . Initial studies also suggest that polyphenols in the syrup may help keep blood sugar levels in check , important for diabetics , by inhibiting enzymes that are involved in the conversion of carbohydrates to sugar , he said . The discoveries of new molecules in the syrup also provide chemists with leads that could prompt synthesis of medications to fight other diseases . The findings were presented this week at an annual meeting of the American Chemical Society in Anaheim , California and are to be published in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Functional Foods . The study was funded by the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada . A total of 54 beneficial compounds were identified by the researchers in pure maple syrup from Quebec , including five of which have never been seen in nature . Among the new compounds is quebecol - named in honor of the Canadian province of Quebec , which leads the world in maple syrup production . The researchers believe it is created when a farmer boils off the water in maple sap to get maple syrup . It takes 40 liters -LRB- 20.5 gallons -RRB- of sap to make one liter -LRB- two pints -RRB- of syrup . The sweet sap is collected from maple trees in the spring when freezing and thawing cycles cause it to rise and flow from taps hammered into tree trunks . Seeram said the irony of finding a potential anti-diabetes compound in a sweetener is not lost on him . '' `` Not all sweeteners are created equal , '' '' he said . But while it may make a good substitute for high fructose corn syrup on pancakes he discourages anyone from going out and drinking gallons of it in hopes of extracting the benefits .
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abstractive_keyphrases: as blueberries green lead researcher navindra seeram assistant professor of provide high