"Why agave nectar is not as healthy as you were led"
By robblu (https://pastebin.com/u/robblu)

URL: https://pastebin.com/JL3J96FP
Created on: Thursday 11th of August 2016 03:53:17 PM CDT
Retrieved on: Saturday 31 of October 2020 03:28:44 AM UTC


Why agave nectar is not as healthy as you were led to believe

It is made from the tequila plant and is about 1 ½ times sweeter than regular sugar
Agave nectar is marketed to diabetics because it “supposedly” has a lower glycemic index.  I once thought this too. Research does not support this claim however.
This seemingly healthy sugar is made by using a process that strips the naturally occurring agave juice of all its nutritional value.
This chemical process that is used to make agave nectar uses caustic acids, clarifiers and filtration chemicals.  So in the end they have taken a natural product and turned it into a refined and processed product using chemicals.
It is very high in fructose (roughly 85% or more of agave is fructose). Fructose gets metabolized by the liver and stored as fat.  It contributes to metabolic syndrome and excess belly fat. Diabetes is part of metabolic syndrome, along with excess weight stored around your middle and hypertension.
Because of the high fructose content it contributes to insulin resistance, elevated triglycerides, and increases your risk of heart disease and liver damage.
Agave nectar is no better than high fructose corn syrup and I think by now you all know to avoid that processed sugar.
Too much fructose impairs your normal appetite control system.  Listen up here if you are trying to lose weight-it makes you want to eat more!
It has a low glycemic index because of all the fructose it contains.  However processed fructose is damaging.  (I am not talking about fructose in your fruits)
Just like there are “fake” olive oils, there are also fake agaves on the market as well. Some have been found to be mixed with corn syrup.
They have done a great job at marketing agave nectar leading you to believe it is a healthy option
So what are some healthy options?

raw honey and pure grade B maple syrup (in minimal amounts)
dates (use dates as a sweetener in baked goods)
fruit
raisins (good fuel source for athletes/sport events)
stevia (NOT Truvia and PureVia as these are processed stevia products)
bananas (great substitute too in baked goods)
xylitol or erythritol (in small occasional amounts)
Lo Han
get your sugar fix from whole foods such as berries, beets and carrots instead of processed foods.