Agave "Nectar"

 Have you ever heard that agave "nectar" or syrup is a healthy sugar? Have you ever heard that it is supposed to help with the sugar levels in diabetics? Have you ever heard that it is a 100% raw or natural sweetener? I know I have. And I tried it. And it was good. Delicious for that fact. Then, one day I decided to investigate/research this delicious product. All I have to say is, "WHOA! What an eye opener!" And now, about a year later, I hope to pass on what I have discovered.

Agave is a perennial plant that is commonly found in Mexico. They generally thrive in volcanic soils. They are large, spiky plants that closely resemble a cactus or Yucca plant. Agave "nectar" is produced from the Blue Agave plant due to its high carbohydrate content.

When the leaves of the plant are cut off, the core, known as a pina, is revealed. The sap from the pina is extracted, filtered, and heated at a low temperature. Generally this temperature is less than 118 degrees-Fahrenheit. And, according to food enthusiasts, this is considered to be a raw food. The carbohydrates get broken down from the heat into sugar. This process is very similar by which corn is converted into high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

Agave "nectar" is available in two colors, clear/amber or dark. The dark version occurs when the fructose is burned after being heated to a temperature over 140 degrees-Fahrenheit.

Agave contains a large amount of saponins. Saponins are soap-like forming chemical compounds that serve to protect the plant from being eaten by animals. Hmm... If animals won't eat them, why would we? It has been found that many species of agave plants contain toxic steroid derivatives of saponins. These derivatives are capable of disrupting red blood cells and causing vomiting and diarrhea in humans. As well, blood flow to the uterus can be increased during pregnancy which could lead to a miscarriage.

Agave "nectar" has been recommended by many endocrinologists to their diabetic patients as a sugar substitute because it is low on the glycemic index (GI). This means that there is not as profound an affect on blood sugar levels as what glucose would cause. Great right? Not so much. Here's why...

1. Agave "nectar" is concentrated fructose. It is not found anywhere in nature. Not even in fruit which is mostly fructose. So what you buy in the bottle is not accompanied by all the goodness (vitamins, minerals, fiber, pectin, etc.) found in fruit.
2. Fructose must be digested in the liver. Here they are converted to triglycerides and stored as body fat. The triglycerides are released into the bloodstream where they wreak havoc on the cardiovascular system causing arteries to clog leading to heart attack, stroke, and even death.
3. Fructose inhibits leptin levels. Leptin is a hormone in the body that signals your brain that you are full. Insulin stimulates the release of leptin. When leptin levels are low, people are constantly hungry and are prone to obesity. And the fat that is accumulated is a dangerous form of fat.

Even though agave "nectar" won't raise blood sugar levels (a good thing), the fructose in it may cause mineral depletion, liver inflammation, atherosclerosis (hardened arteries), insulin resistance leading to diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Not good things.

It is recommended that no more than 5% of your daily calories come from sugar. What does this equate to? This means no more than 3 tablespoons of honey, maple syrup, dehydrated cane sugar/juice, etc. If you are baking and the recipe calls for agave "nectar" or syrup, use one of the more safe ingredients indicated in the previous sentence. For dishes that don't require cooking, dates or raw honey are excellent substitutes. If you are craving something sweet, reach for a piece of fruit or even heat some fruit in a skillet and lather your Paleo/Primal waffles/pancakes with the fruit. Yummy!

Am I saying to avoid agave "nectar" entirely? No. I just want you to make an educated decision as to what goes into your body. And that wasn't meant to be a sexual innuendo for you dirty-minded folks.