opinion on agave

pfal6

So I thought it was supposed to be a healthier version of sugar or honey but now I am reading that it's pretty much a natural version of HFCS. What do you all think of it?

WendyGR

I have never tried it. I try to use local raw honey and maple syrup, I figure that's "green" enough, plus it's so yummy! I'm lucky that both are readily available around here.

rubyiu

Of course it's a natural form of HFCS - both are sweeteners, like sugar, and like honey. You use it, like sugar, in moderation. I use it in making preserves to can. They call for CUPS of sugar. I use a couple tablespoons of agave instead and know I am not putting loads of sugar in my body.

Tyrna

I use agave like honey or in place of sugar also, because I can use a lot less and it is thinner so it mixes well into drinks and things.  It is a sweetener, but a local honey or agave is a lot better in my mind than processed sugars or HFCS pre-mixed into my food.  I like controlling what and how much goes in because I don't like things as sweet as they usually make it.

mr+ms

Agave syrup can actually be much higher in fructose than HFCS and it is highly processed, as most sweeteners are. I'm not sure how it got pegged as being healthier than other sugars. Perhaps because of its low GI number.

Table Sugar (sucrose) = 50% fructose

HFCS, most common formulations = 42-55% fructose

Agave Syrup, varies by brand = 50ish-90ish%

If your goal is to lean towards natural/unprocessed sweeteners, whole fruit is your best bet since it packages fructose with fiber, vitamins, minerals and water followed by honey and maybe maple syrup.

Excess fructose consumption is linked to a variety of health problems such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, diabetes and obesity so it may be wise to limit it.

thevegegurl

I use it in moderation and I'd rather buy something sweetened with agave over hfcs and not just for the potential glycemic effects.  hfcs is made with gmo corn which i do my best to avoid.

 Even better sweeteners for me are honey, date syrup (soak dates and blend them), or yacon sryup (http://www.shoporganic.com/product/navitas-naturals-organic-yacon-syrup-9oz/sweeteners_syrups)

CDMay2006

thevegegurl:

I use it in moderation and I'd rather buy something sweetened with agave over hfcs and not just for the potential glycemic effects.  hfcs is made with gmo corn which i do my best to avoid.

 Even better sweeteners for me are honey, date syrup (soak dates and blend them), or yacon sryup (http://www.shoporganic.com/product/navitas-naturals-organic-yacon-syrup-9oz/sweeteners_syrups) 

I've never heard of yacon syrup... we also use brown rice syrup for lots of things.