Next time you come across a recipe that asks for pure maple syrup, you might think just using golden syrup is the same, not to mention cheaper, more readily available and, as a syrup, there’s no difference. Agave can have a lot of fructose, around 90 percent (Sugar is 50 percent fructose, high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is 55 percent). Agave syrup has a few more calories than table sugar (20 versus 16 per teaspoon), but it's sweeter than sugar so you can use less. It’s lower than honey (58), and sugar (60). and I consider it a healthier altenative to refined sugar. Truth: “Agave syrup is no better for you than other sweeteners,” says Nora Saul, RD, a certified diabetes educator and licensed dietitian at Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston. 17. No. Maple Syrup and Coconut Sugar went head to head in our last episode of "The Sugar Wars" and this one was a worthy match! Once you understand just what the breakdown of nutrients, sugars, and fat is for maple syrup vs. honey, you’ll know which option is healthier. But agave mixes well in liquids such as teas or smoothies. Most agave syrup comes from Mexico and South Africa. This natural sweetener that can be used to make lower-carb sweet treats. Which is healthier? According to the label, brown rice syrup has 36g of carbohydrates, of which 22g are simple sugars. Maple syrup can have a … The Evidence: While agave syrup is technically a whole food found in nature, it is still processed, just like table sugar, which is made from cane sugar, Pfau explains. Prefer darker maple syrup. The processing of agave results in very high levels of the simple sugar fructose – approximately 85%. I think this is a controversial topic. Many recipes that are labeled as healthy replace sugar with other natural sweeteners such as dates. https://organicbodydetox.com/agave-vs-maple-syrup-which-should-i-use Registered dietitians compare the nutrients in agave and honey, explain which is healthier. Agave, taken from the Mexican plant is very high in fructose and fructans. However, agave syrup can be made of 55-90 percent fructose, which is an even higher fructose content than high-fructose corn syrup! AGAVE NECTAR. Agave syrup has either a dark or light amber colour and it's slightly thinner in consistency than honey. For example, maple syrup contains zinc, manganese, iron, and potassium. Between the two, maple syrup is healthier -- it has less overall sugar, and more importantly, less fructose. What’s its health implication? But agave and maple syrup are not healthier choices, according to a presentation at the British Science Festival, because they are just another form of sugar. Practically unheard of ten years ago, it is now a popular item in health food stores and whole food cafés. In alphabetical order: agave nectar, blackstrap molasses, brown rice syrup, corn syrup, date sugar, dark brown sugar, light brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, raw cane sugar, plain old sugar sugar, or turbinado sugar. We know that there are no risks beyond those associated with other natural sugars. While both maple syrup and honey are thought to be similar because they’re natural sweeteners, they actually vary greatly in their nutritional makeup. Since your liver is the only part of your body that can metabolise fructose into glucose, large amounts of fructose can overwhelm your liver. Flavor Profile Maple syrup has caramel notes along with the woodsy maple flavor that you might expect from a maple syrup product. There are more antioxidants in maple versus honey and brown sugar. Because too much added sugar isn't good for your waistline or your health, many people turn to natural sweeteners such as agave nectar or honey. It seems that dark maple syrup is the richest in antioxidants, compared with the clear maple syrup. Whether fructose, glucose or sucrose, from agave, maple syrup or honey… sugar is sugar! While table sugar (sucrose) is half fructose and half glucose, agave syrup contains up to 90 percent fructose. Pure maple syrup (the kind tapped from a tree) is an even better option, because it undergoes less processing than refined sugars. Agave and honey are both trendy natural sugars reputed for health benefits. Table sugar consists of sucrose, which is harmful to those who have diabetes . That doesn't mean, however, you … Agave syrup has been consumed for thousands of years in Mexico and Central America, but has only recently risen to fame as an alternative sweetener. Better check your favorite energy bar- it may have more than 25 grams of sugar! On the other hand, maple syrup has a Glycemic Index of 54. At those levels, fructose spells bad news for your heart and liver. Maple Syrup vs. Honey Nutrition Pure maple syrup […] You’ll see ‘pure maple syrup’ in recipes throughout the health webosphere. ~~ Calories in 1 teaspoon? We should avoid the consumption of maple syrup, as well. There is much controversy in the food world about which sugar is the healthiest- raw agave, honey, maple syrup, sucanat, stevia or Truvia (a non-caloric sweetener made from stevia). I'm often asked: is it worth swapping from sugar to an alternative sweet syrup such as honey or agave? For example, agave is a liquid like honey and maple syrup, making it a little more challenging to use when baking. Agave Syrup, Maple Syrup, Honey, Coconut Sugar are the heathier sweeteners that we can easily find in stores. Maple Syrup. Agave syrup, aka maguey syrup, and commonly though inaccurately known as agave nectar, is a sweetener commercially produced from several species of agave, including Agave tequilana (blue agave) and Agave salmiana.Blue-agave syrup contains 56% fructose as a sugar providing sweetening properties. Maple syrup is healthier for you because it has a glycemic index (GI) of 54, compared to 60 for cane sugar. Maple syrup is a boiled sap that contains a mix of sucrose and the invert sugars glucose and fructose (the actual amount of each type of sugar varies with the source and the method of production), that result from the heating process. Maple Syrup What’s it made of? Are natural sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, agave syrup etc. Most minerals and vitamins are destroyed by this process which leaves essentially a … I eat mostly raw but I agree with you one should not go crazy about it (being obsessed with food, ven about eating right is not sane), Producing maple syrup brings people to connect with forest and to take care of trees . Two actually have some significant nutrition, but the rest are pretty much a wash. any healthier than regular sugar? Agave nectar is not healthier than honey, sugar, high fructose corn syrup or any other type of sweetener. Maple syrup and agave … Maple syrup has an imitable taste (I tastes more then sweet!) It’s not a ton considering you won’t be using a lot of syrup anyway, but is more than … The American Diabetes Association lists agave as a sweetener to limit, along with regular table sugar, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, and all other sugars 5). It also contains antioxidants and minerals like zinc and potassium, and has a lower glycemic index than refined sugars, meaning it won’t lead to spikes of blood sugar that can give you the jitters. It’s also worth noting that the GI is better than … It's recommended that women consume no more than 6 teaspoons of added sugar per day, and men no more than 9 teaspoons, regardless of whether you choose agave, brown sugar or molasses. It contains trace amounts of calcium, iron, zinc, and manganese. Luckily, one serving of a Hail Merry Chocolate Miracle Tart has only 4 grams of maple syrup. It has a medium-low glycemic index (54) and a higher degree of sweetness than table sugar for roughly the same number of calories. The syrups are often pricier than sugar – think of maple syrup or agave or barley malt syrup at $9 or more for a slim 250ml bottle so do they deserve a place in your everyday eating? Idk about “healthier” but I know some have other nutrients in addition to sugars, which makes them a better choice. Fat. Agave Syrup vs. Humans have ingested it for hundreds, if not thousands of years. I first spotted it on the breakfast menu at a whole food cafe drizzled over buckwheat pancakes with blueberries, raw cacao and yoghurt. Agave nectar is a natural sweetener commercially produced from several species of agave, including Agave tequilana and Agave salmiana. Agave syrup is also very high in sugars. We compare honey, molasses, maple syrup, agave nectar and Stevia to see whether any of these sugar substitutes are healthier than plain sugar However, agave nectar still has some advantages. Here’s the graph. The problem with taking in a lot of fructose is that your body must convert it to glucose in the liver, but if you have too much, it gets stored as fat. A diet high in fructose is detrimental to heart and liver health. The fat in a tablespoon of pure maple syrup is 0.1 grams, with minute amounts of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. (Per Tablespoon)Agave Syrup60 cal16g Carbs75-90% FructoseHighly ProcessedMaple Syrup52 cal13g Carbs50-75% SucroseBoiled & FilteredCoconut Sugar15g cal4g Crabs70-79% SucroseEvaporationHoney64 They might have a natural origin, but it doesn't make them good for your health. but what does it really mean, and is maple syrup even any better for you than straight up sugary golden syrup? Both of these foods contain naturally occurring sugars, a healthier option than added sugars. So, does it mean that maple syrup is good for you? Because agave nectar comes from a plant, it is a more natural, healthier alternative to table sugar that doesn’t spike blood sugar levels as much. Maple syrup is at least a fairly natural, minimally processed product. As sugars go, pure maple syrup is one of the least harmful. 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