Last week I linked to an article on The Huffington Post that was pretty negative regarding agave nectar and presented a bunch of info to back a claim on how it is worse for you than high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
Well, Andy over at Small Bites has another opinion on the matter. And honestly, his opinions have been ones I’ve come to respect and trust… and he really does back up what he talks about.
Since I started Small Bites, I have always said that, as far as I am concerned, “sugar is sugar is sugar”. All sweeteners offer 4 grams of sugar (16 calories) per teaspoon. The best thing you can do is limit all added sugars — whether it’s white sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, or agave.
That said, I don’t see the need to demonize agave, which brings us to this post.
Honestly, I was hesitant to present the original article because I do have reservations about The Huffington Post in general… but it seemed a worthy enough article that I figured I would move past my own prejudice and share it. Do I regret doing so? No, not really, but I think you are doing yourself a grave disservice if you don’t also read Andy’s article as well.
You Ask, I Answer: Agave Is The New Enemy? [Small Bites]
Thanks to Darya over at Summer Tomato for the link to this Huffington Post article by Dr. Joseph Mercola that gives some frank info on agave nectar and comes to conclusion that it’s probably not any better, and maybe worse for you than high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).
Unfortunately, masterful marketing has resulted in the astronomical popularity of agave syrup among people who believe they are doing their health a favor by avoiding refined sugars like high fructose corn syrup, and dangerous artificial sweeteners.
And if you’re diabetic, you’ve been especially targeted and told this is simply the best thing for you since locally grown organic lettuce, that it’s “diabetic friendly,” has a “low glycemic index” and doesn’t spike your blood sugar.
While agave syrup does have a low-glycemic index, so does antifreeze — that doesn’t mean it’s good for you.
Most agave syrup has a higher fructose content than any commercial sweetener — ranging from 55 to 97 percent, depending on the brand, which is FAR HIGHER than high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), which averages 55 percent.
This makes agave actually WORSE than HFCS.
A team at Princeton University did a study using rats to check out how the consumption of high fructose corn syrup (often used as a sweetener in sodas and other foods) effected obesity, and how it compared to other sweeteners like regular sugar…
Male rats in particular ballooned in size: Animals with access to high-fructose corn syrup gained 48 percent more weight than those eating a normal diet.
“These rats aren’t just getting fat; they’re demonstrating characteristics of obesity, including substantial increases in abdominal fat and circulating triglycerides,” said Princeton graduate student Miriam Bocarsly. “In humans, these same characteristics are known risk factors for high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, cancer and diabetes.”
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Category : newsroom
Tags: sick, sleep
Couple of interesting news items that made the rounds this last week or so…
First off, a lack of a good nights sleep may lead to weight gain… and if you get sick, taking antibiotics may increase your weight too!
Sounds like a good excuse for me to go shut myself away from everyone and take a nap.
