Agave Syrup - Is it really that healthy?
Have you ever used agave syrup as a sweetener in place of your white sugar and any other artificial sweeteners? Many sugar substitutes I have had to settle with have a bitter taste after the sweetness was gone. If you are seeking for natural alternatives in your daily diet, agave nectar could be a good option to avoid the side effects of sugar. For those unfamiliar with agave nectar... let me tell you a few things to get you on this bandwagon.
Where does Agave Nectar come from?
Agave syrup is a sweetener produced commercially in Mexico. It is made from several different species of agave plant, but the blue agave is the most commonly used. You've heard of agave and probably consumed products of this plant before the syrup was even known to you.
That's right... this plant is best recognized as the plant used to make tequila. The Mexican natives refer to it as "honey water" because the taste is comparable, but not identical, to honey. If you are like many people that don't like honey you'll find that agave is more suitable to your taste buds. The aztecs from centuries ago praised the agave as a gift from the gods and used it add flavors to food and drinks.
Benefits of Agave Nectar?
The numerous beneficial properties of the agave nectar have increased its awareness within the health community. It has quickly become the sweetener of choice for many doctors, health conscious consumers, and natural food chefs. It’s an appropriate choice for those maintaining a lifestyle and diet free from all animal products.
It is a much healthier alternative to the processed sugars and both natural and artificial sweeteners. Agave syrup makes a great sugar substitute because it is a real sugar with a significantly lower glycemic index. Some say it isn’t better for you because it is more calorie dense than your brown and white sugars, but it is about 40% sweeter. So in the long run... you use less to get the same flavor.
How to use Agave?
Another great thing about agave, it can be used the same in recipes as your processed sugars. Think about it... you can use it softening, browning, food preservation, and moisture retention. Even though you may compare it to honey, it’s still sweeter and has less viscosity. You can even use it to sweeten up your cold drinks, it dissolves quickly. My family uses it as our choice syrup for pancakes and waffles.
I personally enjoy agave syrup as one of my natural sweeteners. If you haven’t at least given it a try yet, I suggest that you at least try it.
Go from Agave Syrup to Sugar Substitutes
Go from Agave Nectar to Smoothie Recipes
