Why is agave a “low glycemic sweetener” and how is that better for me?
Agave is very high in fructose, the same natural sugar found in fruits, vegetables, beets, and sweet potatoes. Even though it is sugary, natural fructose is much more gentle on blood sugar levels compared to processed sweeteners such as corn syrup or table sugar. This is because intake of fructose actually stimulates the secretion of insulin, which prevents sudden surges or falls in blood sugar levels. The Glycemic Index is a ranking of foods in relationship to their effect on blood sugar levels (see below) and agave is relatively low on the index. Not all sweet nutrients are harmful for our health. Fructose is such a nutrient, and is considered safe even for diabetics when used in moderation and in combination with other low-glycemic foods. Fructose is the sweetest of natural sugars, so very little is required to achieve sweetness, thus reducing calorie intake.
