The birch sap is flowing again!

Birch sap has beneficial components, but claims of health benefits are not yet backed by research

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By Minna Pölkki
     
      Drink of the gods, elixir of life, power juice...
      Few beverages lay claim to so many health benefits as birch sap, and the early spring is the best time to collect it.
      Sap has been consumed for centuries in the Nordic Countries, as well as in Central Europe, Canada, and Korea.
      It was used by former generations to fight everything from spring fatigue to scurvy and rickets. It has also been drunk to promote the secretion of urine, and as a treatment for kidney disease.
      Canada's native Indians treated arthritis with birch sap. It is also said to ease the symptoms of gout.
      Cattle would be given birch sap in the spring to help them recover from the rough winter.
     
Now birch sap has become popular as a health beverage in Japan and Central Europe.
      There is no hard scientific data that it would have major benefits, but there is all the more anecdotal evidence.
      Susanna and Arto Maaranen, who gather birch sap in North Karelia and export it to different countries, have received feedback from around the world.
     
"The most common ailments in which it has been said to ease symptoms are multiple sclerosis, problems with the joints, and rheumatoid arthritis", Susanna Maaranen says.
      "Some say that they were able to stop the progression of an ulcer, or that it has prevented migraines. Many say that drinking birch sap has cured their allergy to birch pollen."
      Birch sap accelerates the metabolism, and Maaranen recommends it for use while dieting.
      "We have received feedback from marathon runners who say that birch sap is a very good sport beverage", says Arto Maaranen, who drinks it himself when he practices volleyball.
     
While there is much talk about birch sap, does it really have the health benefits that its supporters say it does? I asked Heikki Kallio, Professor of Food Chemistry at the University of Turku.
      "My answer is yes - but", Kallio says.
      "I do not know of any study which would have shown that birch sap would have had any specific effect on anything, but I know the composition of birch sap, and on that basis I can easily recommend it."
      Among other things, birch sap contains potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin C. The substances are in a very diluted form in birch sap, which Kallio says is a good thing: "Trace elements are good stuff. The effect depends on what you drink it with."
      The taste of birch sap comes from fruit acids and sugar - fructose and glucose.
     
"The sugar content is at its peak in the middle of the sap season", says Kallio, who drinks it himself.
      "Birch sap also contains amino acids and proteins - very good ones. It has very little sodium, which we generally get too much of."
      Birch sap can also cause allergic reactions, although it is not a very strong allergen. Those who are allergic to apples are also allergic to birch sap. Kallio once tried to study the health effects of birch sap, but was unable to secure financing for the research.
      "I still feel that it should be studied."
      The Maaranens are confident that the popularity of birch sap will grow. They feel that there is great potential in birch sap.
      "In Canada they make maple syrup out of maple sap. That is what the Canadians are known for - ice hockey and maple syrup", Arto Maaranen points out.
      "We just need to get started before everyone else does."
      The main producers of birch sap in Finland are Aurinkolehto in North Karelia and the Poijas berry and birch sap farm in North Savo. Both export most of their production. In Finland birch sap is mainly sold by natural food stores.
     
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 18.4.2005

More on this subject:
 From Tohmajärvi to Japan, Korea, and Europe
 FACTFILE: Birch sap flows during springtime, before the leaves sprout

MINNA PÖLKKI / Helsingin Sanomat
minna.polkki@hs.fi