Agave syrup (or agave nectar) is a sweetener produced in Mexico from various types of agave. You should definitely use the original if there is no other way. There are many fakes on the market. Agave syrup is sweeter than honey but less viscous. However, it is even "more poisonous" than sugar.
Arguments of agave syrup producers:
- Agave syrup is sweeter than sugar, so it requires less of it, ergo it is better than sugar, with the same sweetness.
- Agave syrup has a lower glycemic index (GI) than sugar and therefore causes a lower release of the hormone insulin.
As we know, less insulin in the blood is a good thing. This is why agave syrup is often recommended by the same industry for diabetics. But CAUTION!
Both arguments are not false, but misleading! To understand this, we have to look closely at what agave syrup is really made of: Agave syrup is a mixture of glucose and fructose (similar to sugar), whereby the glucose and fructose molecules are not connected to each other but float freely in the syrup. Depending on the vendor, source, and quality, the ratio of fructose to glucose in the agave nectar is between 7:1 and 9:1, which means that agave syrup contains up to 80% more fructose per unit than household sugar.
Since the "toxicity" of sugar depends on the fructose content, agave syrup is ironically even more "toxic" than sugar. So much for "agave syrup - healthy alternative"!
