Contents
In this article you will learn, among others:
- How much calories does agave syrup have?
- What is the composition of agave syrup?
- Can agave syrup be heated?
- Can you replace sugar with syrup?
- Is agave syrup healthy?
- Is agave syrup good for diabetics?
How much calories does agave syrup have?
It is even three times sweeter than sugar, has a lower glycemic index (about 30), but it is just as caloric (100g – 400 kcal). It is mainly produced in Mexico from several species of agave Tequilana agave and Salmiana agave. It is made from the juice squeezed out of the agave core. It is then heated to hydrolyze the bicarbonate into sugars and then filtered. Freshly squeezed juice is rich in inulin, which does not taste sweet, but is made up of many “sweet” fructose particles. They are released after appropriate reactions have been carried out. Then the juice is concentrated. As a result, a fairly thick syrup is formed.
What is the composition of agave syrup?
Agave nectar consists mainly of fructose and glucose. Fructose is the most in it – even up to 90%. The ratio of glucose to fructose varies from one syrup manufacturer to another. It also contains certain amounts of minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium that contribute to its color. However, their content is not large.
Can agave syrup be heated?
Plus: it can be heated
Agave syrup can be added to both cold and warm drinks. It is also perfect for pancakes or sandwiches when used instead of honey. You can also use it for baking, but it’s best to choose those recipes where you should sweeten the dough with honey. Sugar gives the baked goods not only flavor, but also has an influence on the structure. Replacing it with agave nectar may change it slightly.
Can you replace sugar with syrup?
Plus: sweeter than sugar
Just take a teaspoon of agave syrup to sweeten the tea and feel the same sweetness as we would sweeten with 3 teaspoons of sugar. At the same time, the blood glucose level will not increase as drastically as it does when consuming sugar. This is undoubtedly a plus that people who are slimming or diabetics pay attention to. Unfortunately, the disadvantages seem to compensate for this plus.
Is agave syrup healthy?
Disadvantage: fructose stored in adipose tissue
Agave nectar is richer in concentrated fructose than high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Excessive fructose is not good for the body. It puts a strain on the liver, as it must be converted into triglycerides in it. Only a small amount of fructose is converted into glucose in order to rebuild glycogen reserves, or used for the energy needs of the liver. The rest must be stored in adipose tissue as fat.
Downside: Not a natural sweetener
Besides, this syrup is not exactly a natural sweetener. In order for it to be created, it must undergo a number of production processes. Often, insulin hydrolysis is carried out thermally or even chemically. Such a product loses its health benefits. In turn, chemical impurities may appear in it. Such a syrup can be comparable to the refining of traditional sugar, because we get a refined product, without any minerals or vitamins. Currently, however, enzymatic hydrolysis is being introduced, which is a better method of obtaining nectar from agave.
Is agave syrup good for diabetics?
Disadvantage: excess fructose harmful to diabetics
In nature, we will not find a concentrated source of fructose anywhere. In fruits, fructose most often occurs in a slightly different form called levulose. In addition, in this form it is accompanied by a number of vitamins and minerals as well as fiber. Therefore, it is not harmful to the body, unless we eat fruit in excess. In the case of high-fructose syrups, it is very easy to get excess fructose. This, in turn, may contribute to the onset of insulin resistance, followed by type II diabetes. A small amount of fructose is beneficial for diabetics, but an excess of it increases cardiovascular risk. Fructose has a negative effect on fat metabolism.
Let me know in the comments, do you use agave syrup instead of sugar? Do you prefer other sugar substitutes? Do you like the taste of agave syrup?