Do you still recommend agave? First of all, agave syrup is high in fructose, a type of sweetener that can be incredibly damaging to health. The most common types of agave include A. americana, A. attenuata, and A. tequilana varieties, among others, such as: The reason agave ranks relatively low on the glycemic index is because it has a high content of fructose. 2-10. Any third party offering or advertising on this website does not constitute an endorsement by Andrew Weil, M.D. or Healthy Lifestyle Brands. When I do, I use very small amounts. Recall the major scam about soy and how it was promoted (and still is) as healthy back in the early 90s. Calcium: Agave nectar has many trace minerals in its composition including calcium and potassium. The negative health effects of added sugar and HFCS are well-documented, including increased risk of weight gain, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. 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. Agave nectar, also called agave syrup, is a sweetener often recommended for people with diabetes. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. The biggest problem is cheap HFCS, ubiquitous in processed food. But, the downside story is, consumption of agave nectar is associated with various health effects. For a while, I used agave as my main sweetener, although I don’t use sweeteners very often. There IS a natural agave syrup that comes exclusively from the sap made in Mexico (as is tequila). Calcium: Agave nectar has many trace minerals in its composition including calcium and potassium. Agave nectar health risks. Stay Connected With Dr. Weil - Get Free Newsletters Right In Your Inbox, Information on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. Overview of Agave Nectar Side Effects. It may also increase risks of heart disease and cancer. Rather, it is D-fructose which is a reverse isomer with reverse polarity to the small amounts of natural D-fructose found in fruits. Agave nectar does not crystallize when cold, so it dissolves easily in cold drinks. As consumers are becoming more aware of the problems with agave, manufacturers are starting to use “chicory syrup” instead. It ranks relatively low on both the glycemic index and glycemic load scales. Fructose is a major culprit in the rising incidence of type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Production of agave syrup is very similar to how sugar manufacturers make high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Agave nectar accommodates the absorption of calcium into the bone to increase bone density and the overall state of health. The less fructose you consume, the better. New research suggests that excessive fructose consumption deranges liver function and promotes obesity. There are over 130 types of agave that grow wild throughout the southwestern United States and throughout central America. Agave sap is called agave nectar. Actually, agave nectar is bad for you. Thus, it is touted as a better alternative to table sugar, especially for diabetic patients. Aspartame is a popular artificial sweetener that’s often found in diet products, such as … Side Effects & Safety The agave plant is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for most adults when applied to the skin. The agave manufacturing process uses genetically modified enzymes (GMOs). When I do, I use very small amounts. It is too early to tell whether it has specific health effects, so avoid using it in excess. All rights reserved. Unlike glucose, which can be easily digested and metabolized throughout the body, fructose can only be processed by the liver. The agave sweetener sold today is made by treating agave sugars with heat and enzymes, which destroys all of its potentially beneficial health effects. It's about 1.5 times sweeter than sugar and comes from the same plant that's used to make tequila. Health Benefits. Just for comparison, the richest in fructose foods are (2): agave syrup has 82% fructose, high fructose corn syrup or HFCS has 55% fructose. Agave nectar is the sap from the agave plant. It ranks relatively low on both the glycemic index and glycemic load scales. Table sugar has a glycemic index of approximately 60 and can increase the risk of diabetes. Contrary to popular belief, agave is not made from the dried sap of the agave plant. Agave nectar is a great alternative to sugar for people who are at risk of diabetes or who are diabetic. www.drweil.com, Tips To Minimize Weight Gain This Thanksgiving Season. Be on alert for agave labeled this way to purposely mislead and deceive. Fructose does not readily raise blood sugar (glucose) levels because the body doesn’t metabolize it well. In some cases, it can contain up to 90% fructose, ©Copyright 2020 Healthy Lifestyle Brands, LLC. It’s just a marketing ploy. Perhaps the reason is that the heat required to produce agave is below pasteurization temperature (161 °. Probable agave nectar side effects include allergic reactions, reduced absorption of fructose, hypertriglyceridemia, insulin resistance and pregnancy complications amongst others. Coconut Sugar: A Highly Sustainable and Healthy Sweetener, Monk Fruit: Alternative Sweetener that Rivals Stevia. You should not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication or other treatment. They also claim that agave nectar having low glycemic index doesn’t cause abrupt elevation in the blood glucose levels. I don’t think there’s any doubt that Americans consume much too much fructose, an average of 55 grams per day (compared to about 15 grams 100 years ago, mostly from fruits and vegetables). However, so far, the FDA has no attempt to enforce violations. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Agave nectar is an amber-colored liquid that pours more easily than honey and is considerably sweeter than sugar. Agave nectar is not raw even if labeled as such. Agave (pronounced ‘uh-GAH-vay’) nectar is a natural sweetener with a pleasant neutral taste. Fructose Stimulates Fat Production. For a while, I used agave as my main sweetener, although I don’t use sweeteners very often.