Agave syrup, also known as agave honey, is a sweet syrup made from a cactus native to Mexico. It has the same calories as ordinary sugar, but it sweetens almost twice as much as sugar, causing agave to be used in smaller amounts by reducing the calories in the diet.
In addition, it is almost completely made by fructose, a type of sugar that has a low glycemic index and does not cause large increases in blood sugar levels, an important feature to help you lose weight. Learn how to use the glycemic index to lose weight.
How to use Agave
Agave syrup has the appearance of honey, but its consistency is less viscous, which makes it dissolve more easily than honey. It can be used to sweeten yogurts, vitamins, desserts, juices and preparations like cakes and biscuits, and can be added in recipes that will be cooked or going to the oven.
However, it is important to remember that agave is still a type of sugar and therefore should be consumed in small amounts on a balanced diet. In addition, agave should only be used in cases of diabetes as directed by the doctor or nutritionist.
Nutritional information
The following table gives the nutritional information for 20 g of agave syrup, equivalent to two tablespoons.
| Quantity: 2 tablespoons agave syrup (20g) | |
| Energy: | 80 kcal |
| Carbohydrates, of which: | 20 g |
| Fructose: | 17 g |
| Dextrose: | 2.4 g |
| Sucrose: | 0.3 g |
| Other sugars: | 0.3 g |
| Proteins: | 0 g |
| Fats: | 0 g |
| Fibers: | 0 g |
In addition, the agave also has some minerals like iron, zinc and magnesium, bringing additional health benefits when compared to ordinary sugar.
Care and contraindications
The agave syrup, despite having a low glycemic index, is rich in fructose, a type of sugar that when consumed in excess can cause problems like high cholesterol, high triglycerides and fat in the liver.
In addition, you also have to be aware of the label of the agave to be sure that the agave syrup is pure and still contains its nutrients, because sometimes the syrup goes through processes of refinement and becomes a bad product.
To control weight and problems like cholesterol and diabetes, the ideal is to reduce the consumption of any type of sugar in the diet, in addition to getting into the habit of reading the labels of industrialized foods, to identify the presence of sugar in these foods. See more tips in 3 steps to decrease sugar consumption.
