Sugar is everywhere, and it’s very easy to consume too much of it, sometimes without even realizing it. What makes sugar so insidious is that it’s not always visible. Whether in desserts, drinks, processed products, and even those “without added sugars”, it hides under various names and sneaks into our daily diet. However, healthier alternatives to white sugar are easily accessible. Agave syrup is one such option.
Agave syrup vs white sugar: what are the differences?
Agave syrup is a natural sweetener that takes its name from a plant mainly grown in Mexico. The syrup comes from the juice of this plant, the agave, which is then filtered and heated to obtain this sweet liquid. White sugar also comes from two plants: sugar cane and sugar beets. These sources are then refined, that is to say transformed, to obtain white sugar as we know it.
White sugar is composed mainly of sucrose, a mixture of equal parts glucose and fructose. For its part, agave syrup contains above all fructose, a natural sugar present in fruits. But this fructose content is not necessarily good news. Unlike glucose, which is used by all cells in the body for energy, fructose is primarily metabolized by the liver. So, when consumed in excess, fructose causes fat accumulation in the liver, thereby increasing the risk of developing metabolic diseases. You will have understood, it is not much better than sugar in this respect.
A significantly lower glycemic index
However, one of the undeniable advantages of agave syrup is its glycemic index, much lower than that of white sugar. To understand, the glycemic index measures the effect of a food on blood sugar, that is to say the sugar level in the blood. If that of white sugar is close to 70, that of agave syrup is more around 15. It therefore causes a less rapid increase in blood sugar. It is therefore a good alternative for people looking to better control their blood sugar levels, especially those with diabetes. Furthermore, like honey, agave syrup is approximately 1.5 times sweeter than white sugar, which means that a smaller quantity is enough to sweeten your preparations.
Be careful though, despite its advantages, agave syrup remains a sugar. To avoid its harmful effects, be sure to consume it in moderation while favoring a balanced diet rich in seasonal fruits and vegetables.
