Well, given we're with the Starch Solution here, is it probably a stretch to call either maple syrup or honey as "natural?" That seems like marketing talk. They're still processed and refined products, and aren't entirely whole foods (a.k.a. plant foods grown from the ground). Maple syrup is sugar syrup by and large, separated from the tree's natural fibers, water etc. Honey is the stored food for bees, not humans - it's something we inevitably have to steal from their hives for use, which has caused lots of problems of its own.
Dates appear far closer to a whole food, but a concentrated source of calories of course in large doses - helpful for gaining weight, or endurance athletes, from the McDougall Colour Picture Book. Probably if you're looking for weight loss, you restrict these sweeteners - but if you're at ideal weight and doing fine, use of a little from time to time isn't going to make a whole lot of difference.
Only difference would be if sweeteners trigger you to eat too much I'd guess, or if there's any "sugar rush" sensitivity, diabetes vulnerability etc. Otherwise, hopefully enjoy a little to help the medicine go down - those beautiful starches