There are many headlines going around these days about agave nectar. Everyone is wondering is it healthy, is it like high fructose corn syrup, is it processed, etc. Well, since Agave is a wonderful sweetener that I always keep around, and can also be used to sweeten your juice, I’d like to find out if it really is safe to use.
I found several articles recently that discuss all the different issues surrounding agave and there seems to be a lot of conflicting information.
The first article forewarns us that there is a significant difference between manufacturers of agave and some of the unsavory ones are actually processing it into “high fructose agave nectar”. The second article is just an extension of the first one.
The third article states that agave nectar is not a good sweetener to use and that it is not organic and natural because it’s all processed. Take a look at the articles yourself and let me know what you think.
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/is-agave-nectar-safe/
http://www.naturalnews.com/024892_fructose_food_health.html
http://www.westonaprice.org/Agave-Nectar-Worse-Than-We-Thought.html
All I know is that I eat a lot of naturally good products with agave in them, and I am not having any adverse reactions to it. My blood sugar levels are stable, my weight has not changed, and I feel just fine. I know when I have something processed with either sugar or high fructose corn syrup, my blood sugar drops soon after I eat. If I were eating something like that, I think I’d see a difference.
I choose to keep on using agave nectar as my sweetener of choice, but I only purchase it at a Whole Foods store or something like that. Just be sure you buy your agave from a good manufacturer.
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Hi Tamara,
I’m with you on listening to your body first and to the research second. My body likes agave too, in moderation. I find it amusing that people keep looking for a sweetener that is “healthy.” There is no sweetener out there that is truly good for you. (Although some would argue that stevia fits the bill, it too is now processed.) I still think that as far as sweeteners go, the best you can hope for is one that isn’t harmful. After all we don’t use sweeteners for health reasons, we use them to feed that little kid inside.