Agave nectar – a sweet method to shed pounds

Agawa (agave L.) is a plant in the agave family. There are over a hundred species and it can be found growing wild in areas from the southern United States to the northern part of South America. It is succulent, its leaves are thick and fleshy, terminated by sharp stems. Its flowering period occurs only once in life, usually at the age of 5 15 years, although there are also species that bloom at 100 years.

Agave nectar is produced in Mexico from certain species of the plant, most notably Agave salmiana and Agave tequilana. It is obtained by pressing the juice from the kernel, which is then filtered and heated to hydrolyze carbohydrates composed of simple sugars, mainly fructose.

Agave syrup is dense and has a golden-brown color. It resembles a bit of liquid honey. The darker the color, the more caramel flavor is felt in the foods to which it is added. Its IG is 15 30 and depends on the amount of fructose it contains. The more of this simple sugar in its composition, the lower the glycemic index. It is therefore recommended for diabetics because it prevents the rapid release of insulin syrup into the bloodstream.

With its low IG and LG and a 25% lower calorie content than regular sugar, agave syrup can be a good alternative to sweetness while reducing body weight. It's also sweeter than sugar, so it's consumed less and, as a result, reduces its energy value even by half when compared to its crystalline counterpart.