I wanted to know if agave nectar was healthy and if it was healthier for me than stevia or xylitol.
What is Agave Nectar and How is it Processed?
Agave nectar is a sweetener produced mainly in Mexico. The juice is extracted from the core of the Agave tequiliana plant, heated into simple sugars and filtered. It is comprised mostly of fructose. The juice is concentrated into a syrup, usually thinner than honey, but sweeter. Per a Wall Street Journal article, Agave nectar’s marketing campaigns claim that it raises blood sugar levels less than refined sugar; and that has a lower glycemic index (it creates less of a sugar rush). As usual, the medical profession is skeptical and issued a warning for diabetics to beware. The calories are about the same as sugar, sometimes more. Read the rest of this entry »
