What is Agave? Is it the perfect alternative to refined sugar ?

If you thought Honey, Jaggery and Maple syrup were the only alternatives to sugar, then here’s another popular alternative to regular sugar, which is gaining popularity in the International market. But is it actually good? Well, we are talking about Agave nectar or Agave syrup, which has been a popular alternative to regular sugar as well as the key ingredient used to make Tequila.

With an increasing consciousness towards health and fitness, people are finding healthier alternatives to replace regular sugar, which is also termed as white poison. This is because excess sugar can impact your insulin levels and cause Diabetes and several other lifestyle disorders in the long run. But what exactly is the Agave nectar, is it good or bad?

Agave is basically a desert plant, which is a native to the Southern United States and Latin America. The extracts of this plant are used to make Tequila and sweet Agave Syrup. Traditionally, Agave and its nectar were used in Mexico for many years and it was believed that the Agave nectar had medicinal properties. The sap of the Agave plant was boiled to make a sweetener known as Miel de Agave. In fact, the sugar present in Agave is fermented for a long time to make Tequila.

Traditionally, Agave nectar was used extensively in Mexico for its sweet taste and was believed to have multiple health benefits. However, the goodness of Agave nectar depends on the process of extraction and preparation of the syrup.

The Agave plant is cut and the sugary sap is extracted. This extract contains high amounts of sugar and healthy fiber like Fructans, which are believed to be good for metabolism and help in managing insulation sensitivity. However, the commercial production of Agave nectar destroys the goodness of health enriching components which get broken during the course of production. This is because Agave sugars are treated with enzymes and excessive heat, which destroys the healthy properties.

Agave nectar has a low glycemic index, but at the same time it is high in fructose, which may impact the sugar levels. So, if you are planning to switch to Agave nectar or Agave syrup to satiate your sweet cravings, then it may not be a great idea as it high in fructose, which may impact the metabolism and lead to insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and may cause type 2 diabetes in the long run. High amounts of fructose in diet turns into fat in the body and increases the blood triglyceride levels, which impact the liver functioning and heart health in the long run. Thus, it is better to avoid Agave nectar as a sweetener and rather stick to other alternatives with low fructose content and low glycemic index.