Agave syrup, also known as agave honey, is a sweet syrup made from a cactus native to Mexico. It has the same calories as regular sugar, but sweetens almost twice as much as sugar, making agave used in smaller amounts, reducing the calories in the diet.
In addition, it is almost completely made from 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 looks like 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 such as cakes and cookies, and can be added to recipes that will be baked or that will go 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 in a balanced diet. In addition, agave should only be used in cases of diabetes according to the advice of the doctor or nutritionist.
Nutritional information
The following table provides nutritional information for 20 g of agave syrup, equivalent to two tablespoons.
| Quantity: 2 tablespoons of 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, agave also has some minerals such as iron, zinc and magnesium, bringing additional health benefits when compared to common sugar.
Cautions and contraindications
Agave syrup, despite having a low glycemic index, is rich in fructose, a type of sugar that when consumed in excess can cause problems such as high cholesterol, high triglycerides and fat in the liver.
In addition, you also need to pay attention to the label to make sure that the agave syrup is pure and still contains its nutrients, because sometimes the syrup goes through refining processes 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 acquiring the habit of reading the labels of processed foods, to identify the presence of sugar in these foods. See more tips in 3 steps to reduce sugar consumption.
