Agave nectar hit the markets a while back and we all jumped on the healthy sweetener bandwagon. Since its emergence as an alternative to sugar, agave nectar has become all the rage. Now widely marketed, agave nectar is being used in products ranging from spelt and Kamut cakes to ketchup. Agave nectar has a lot of devotees who believe that they’ve finally found a healthy, natural sweetener that they can get away with. Unfortunately, there has been a lot of press recently with evidence showing that agave nectar is not as healthy as we once thought.

Now, before we all go throwing out our stock of agave nectar and forgoing sweeteners (again), let’s take a look at these articles a little more closely. Sure, there are things to watch out for when consuming agave nectar … just like any other sweetener. However, a lot of writers who proclaim the dangers of agave nectar in their articles have a conflict of interest. Many of them are associated with companies who promote products, like brown rice syrup and stevia, which compete with agave nectar. Even if they don’t sell competing products, they may have some alliance to, or have gotten their information from, a source that promotes a competing product.

The fact is, agave nectar is a sweetener … NOT a superfood. It offers few health benefits (although there are some studies linking agave nectar to increase in bone density, and other health benefits), and like all sweeteners, should be used in moderation.

First the good news: The agave plant, which is the raw material used to make tequila, contains fructans, non- digestible carbohydrates that help the body absorb calcium and magnesium. Studies have already shown that fructans promote growth of good bacteria in the intestines, prompting better absorption of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. And in a follow up study, researchers found that mice fed agave absorbed more calcium and significantly increased the levels of a protein that marks new bone tissue growth. Other sources of fructans include artichokes, onions, and garlic.  

Agave nectar is composed mostly of fructose, a monosaccharide the body uses for energy without spiking blood sugar levels. For this reason, many feel fructose is a great substitute for sucrose (white table sugar). But lately some experts are changing their minds.
The NOT so good news: Fructose is processed by our liver. When we have too much in our system, the liver becomes overwhelmed and starts to turn the excess into fats. Those fats are sent to the bloodstream as triglycerides, which contribute to a higher risk of heart disease. So, the problem isn’t agave nectar, per se. It’s the over-indulgence of fructose.

Living Tree Agave Nectar

Jesse Schwartz, PhD, says, “[Agave nectar is] not a superfood, it’s not a wonderment: all sweeteners should be used in moderation. It is not a magical food!” President of Living Tree Community, Dr. Schwartz’ company is huge with raw food proponents. On their websitewww.LivingTreeCommunity.com, they promote the idea that “vibrant good health is a combination of many subtle elements including alive food ….” I absolutely love their products and use them as a frequent resource. Although many companies describe their products as raw, they don’t always qualify. It’s super important to make sure that when you’re buying raw products like agave nectar, you get them from a reputable source like Living Tree Community to ensure that you receive the best product possible.

This is another awesome article by Dr. Edward Group from the Global Healing Center! This tells the truth abouit agave nectar: Agave Article By Dr.

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Holistic Nutrition Coach, Rose Cole, publishes the Wellness With Rose “Natural Health & Nutrition Tips” email newsletter.  If you’re ready to lose the last 10-20 stubborn pounds without dieting, and increase your energy all naturally, get your free subscription at www.RoseCole.com!

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