This is a first in a series of blogs that I will be doing regarding misconceptions about foods commonly thought of as healthy.
Agave is a sweetener used extensively in Mexico and South America that has been heavily marketed it the U.S.
Agave could actually be worse than sugar because it contains high amounts of fructose. It could be as high as 70 – 90% fructose which is even higher than pure white sugar.
A diet high in fructose overloads the liver and starts turning fructose into fat leading to some of the most serious diseases today including heart disease, obesity and type II diabetes.
High fructose can also cause elevated triglycerides, elevated blood sugars, harmful effects on your cholesterol, abdominal obesity and numerous other metabolic problems.
If you would like to learn more from an expert, Dr. Robert H. Lustig is a pediatric endocrinologist and an expert on obesity in children. He’s also the guy who brought the dangers of fructose into mainstream attention.
His presentation Sugar: The Bitter Truth, is a 90 minute lecture that delves deep into the science and biochemistry behind fructose consumption. You will learn much about sweeteners in general.
If you are using Agave (also called Agave Nectar) please stop. If you would like to read more about Agave here are two sites covering the basics.
