Agave syrup has some health benefits, but that doesn’t necessarily make it better than sugar.
Key Takeaways
Agave has recently become a buzzword in the food space.
We talked to nutrition experts about all the agave health benefits (and drawbacks) you should probably know.
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What Is Agave?
Tear open an agave plant, and you’ll find a fair amount of sap.
This sap can be harvested and turned into agave syrup or tequila, depending on how it’s handled.
(Yepagave syrup andtequilacome from the same plant!)
How Much Agave Can You Consume Every Day?
“There isnt a standardized recommendation for everyone for daily agave syrup consumption.
“However, most people do not track percentages as compared to their caloric intakes.
Here’s how agave’s unique nutritional qualities could support your health, again, in moderation.
Diabetes is a health condition characterized by too-high blood sugar levels, so it involves near-constant blood sugar regulation.
But the glycemic index can also be useful for just about anyone.
When we eat, our bodies release a hormone called insulin.
This hormone works to convert glucose (a pop in of sugar found in food) into energy.
Just remember that the low glycemic index doesn’t make agave a de facto healthy choice.
It’s prone to the same weaknesses as any other high-sugar food.
Lowers Inflammation
When consumed in moderation, the antioxidants in agave could support your health.
“Agave syrup naturally contains phytochemical antioxidants calledsaponins,“says Bakovic.
She adds that high-glucose foods can also be tough for our bodies to process.
What Are the Downsides of Agave?
If you’re seeking out agave for health benefits, you’ll probably be disappointed.
Foods are typically made up of three kinds of sugar: glucose, fructose, and sucrose.
“Glucose is the most important form of sugar for our bodies,” Naidoo says.
“Its structure makes it easy to break apart and metabolize for fuel.”
That means glucose is the first sugar our body turns to when it needs energy.
(But, as mentioned, there is such a thing as too much glucose.)
A diet high in fructose comes with its own setbacks.
Hard to Digest
Fructose, a different kind of sugar, is not as easily metabolized.
Because this process takes a little longer, fructose is less likely to affect your blood sugar than glucose.
“[But] it [can be] incredibly taxing on the liver.
And [it can] lead to increased fat storage, which we know to be unhealthy.”
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