The problem with agave is the way that it’s made. Here’s what you need to know before pouring it on your pancakes. Here's why you should avoid agave nectar. As stated, glucose levels aren’t raised. Agave nectar is a sweetener processed from the blue agave plant. Agave nectar contains very small amounts of magnesium, potassium, and calcium but they are not enough to contribute to the health of an individual. It’s sweeter than white sugar and has about the same amount of calories. Nutrition. However, is it as healthy as everybody claims it is, or just another health fad? When processed, the nectar becomes agave syrup, which is what is technically sold to consumers. The rundown: 1.5 times sweeter than sugar This is why agave has a low glycemic index. We can find it on the shelves of natural food stores, it is considered an excellent substitute for unhealthy sugar, a natural product produced using traditional methods, ideal for diabetics because it has a low glycemic index. Agave nectar, technically speaking, is actually the unprocessed sap or juice extracted from the core of the agave species when ripe, typically from the blue Agave tequilana plant species.. While there are many options on the market now, blue agave is still one of the most popular sweeteners for health conscious people.. Blue agave is one of the most common sugar substitutes found on healthy food … Agave nectar is derived from the blue agave plant. Agave syrup is a highly-processed sugar alternative. That is a higher fructose content than even high fructose corn syrup. For years, some medical professionals, nutritionists, and dietitians, proclaimed agave as a savior among sugar substitutes, especially for diabetics. The genus Agave, consisting of over 200 species, are succulents composed of … In theory, agave nectar is the unprocessed version of the sweetener, not unlike sap from maple trees. Agave does have some possible health benefits touted by its proponents. She pointed out that she’d done a search for agave nectar on this site and only turned up two entries. So, is agave syrup healthy? Agave nectar has long been touted as a more nutritious sweetener. Agave syrup is still touted as a health product, but in reality it's just as unhealthy as sugar, if not more so. Agave is commonly used as a sweetener to replace brown or white sugar in baking. It is made either by heating extracts of the succulent Agave salmiana plant or by breaking them down with water in a process called hydrolysis.The resulting liquid is processed with enzymes derived from a mold called Aspergillus niger. Some common or better-known Agave species or varieties are: Blue Agave (Agave tequilana) Century Plant (Agave americana) But when it comes to agave and honey—two natural sweeteners that often pop up in healthy recipes—it’s not as easy to tell the two apart. It’s also the same plant used to make tequila. Agave syrups are available in mild, amber, as well as raw varieties. Gram for gram, agave is worse than table sugar. These cultures would use the sap from the leaves of the agave plant to dress wounds and fight skin infections. Many people believe that since the sugar in fruit is fructose that this means fructose is automatically healthy. Agave nectar is mostly fructose. Agave (Agave spp.) Agave – Agave has gotten a lot of attention in the last few years. It is, in small amounts, with fruit fiber, fruit vitamins, fruit minerals, and all of the other nutrition in f Agave syrup has been praised by many as a healthy sugar, but nutritionist Kim Pearson gives us the facts. One tablespoon of agave contains 15 grams sugar, 16 grams total carbs and 60 calories. “A lot of people … Agave nectar is a viscous liquid, sticky, but not as thick as honey. Earlier this week a reader emailed me, seeking an answer to the classic question: Is agave nectar (also sometimes called agave syrup) good for you? 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