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Effects Of Agave

Agave is a plant commonly used to make the popular ingredient agave nectar, or agave syrup. Agave nectar can be used in cooking as a substitute for either sugar or honey and can used to sweeten both food and drinks. Agave can have both positive and negative effects on your health.

  1. Gentle On Blood Sugar

    • Agave has low-glycemic properties, which makes it a better choice for a sweetener than regular sugar. Foods with lower glycemic indexes are considered better for your health because they won't cause drastic changes in your blood sugar, which can put a strain on your body and impair your cognitive functioning. This is what makes agave a good sugar alternative for diabetics or those with other blood sugar issues. You also can use less of agave than table sugar or honey, because it is slightly sweeter, thus you are actually using less sugar for the same sweet taste.

    Processing Effect

    • Some agave nectar brands can actually sabotage your health. Agave sweetener or nectar that is overly processed can result in it having larger amounts of high-fructose corn syrup, which is believed to have negative effects on health and can lead to obesity and diabetes when used in excess. Pay attention to labels and look for raw, organic agave when trying to find the best agave products for your health. Also look for products that have no additives, such as corn syrup.

    Possible Weight Gain

    • Any type of agave can cause weight gain or diabetes issues if used in excess. Even though agave may be a healthier alternative to table sugar, it is still a sugar and should be used in moderation as such. The recommended intake of sugar ranges from six teaspoons for women to about nine for men, according to the American Heart Association. So pay attention to how much you are adding daily to things like tea, cereal, or in preparation of foods like desserts. You should also pay attention to other added sugars in your diet, which can be found in sodas, processed juices and certain junk foods, when trying to determine a daily, healthy sugar intake.

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