Agave nectar presents a natural solution to chemical-laden sugar substitutes.
The sweet taste of sugar is hard to resist, but eating too much of this confectionary staple can lead to tooth decay, obesity and adult-onset diabetes. Sugar substitutes have fewer calories and less of an effect on blood sugar but come from chemicals. However, agave nectar, a relatively new sugar substitute, offers a natural, healthy alternative to sugar.
Origin
Agave nectar comes from agave, the same plant that tequila comes from. Sugar primarily stems from sugar cane.
Taste
The taste of agave nectar is similar to a smooth honey.
Caloric Content
Agave nectar tends to have more calories per ounce than sugar, but since agave nectar is sweeter than sugar, you will use less of it.
Glycemic Index
A Glycemic Index (GI) ranks foods by how they affect blood sugar levels, an important unit of measurement for diabetics. With an average GI in the 60s, sugar may impact blood sugar, whereas agave nectar is a low-glycemic food with a GI around 30.
Bone Char
Many granulated sugars use animal bone-based charcoal in their processing. Agave nectar does not use bone char in its filtering process and is safe for vegans and those who refrain from using animal products in their diets.
Functions
Like sugar but unlike other sugar substitutes, agave nectar helps brown, retain moisture and preserve foods.
Tags: agave nectar, Agave nectar, blood sugar, comes from, Glycemic Index