Agave nectar nutrition facts

Information on Agave Nectar

Agave nectar, also known as agave syrup is commonly extracted from certain species of the agave plant. In Mexico they call it honey water. The agave plant itself is very similar to yuccas and cactus because it is usually very large and it has spikes. It comes from the same family of plants as aloe vera, which is the family of succulents. The different species of the agave plant which are used for the extraction of the agave nectar include blue agave, rainbow agave, salmiana agave, thorny agave, grey agave and green agave. The blue agave is commonly grown in the Southern Mexico because of its volcanic soil and it is the species which is used most extensively because it contains high amounts of carbohydrates and provides the final product with the high content of fructose. It is also an interesting fact that agave plant is used for the production of tequila.

Agave Nectar Nutritional Information

Agave nectar can be compared to honey but it is much sweeter and a little less viscous. It commonly does not include any artificial sweeteners so it does not have an unwanted aftertaste. Each tablespoon of agave nectar contains 60 calories, 15 grams of sugar, 16 grams or 5 percent of total carbohydrates and 1 gram or 4 percent of dietary fiber. It does not contain any proteins, sodium or fat.

Agave Nectar Nutritional Benefits

Agave nectar is up to 1.6 sweeter than ordinary sugar but it still has a significantly low glycemic index. Ordinary sugar is a processed sweetener, it has a high glycemic index and it contains only calories. Agave nectar is very beneficial because it does not trigger sharp falls or rises of the levels of sugar in the blood. It has a glycemic value of 27, while all other different types of sweeteners have a glycemic value of 32 or perhaps even more in some cases. Agave nectar is an excellent source of saponins which are known for having very potent antimicrobial and anti inflammatory properties. They are also very efficient in boosting the strength of the immune system. Agave nectar also contains inulin which is very important for the functioning of the kidneys and the production of fructose. It is efficient in reducing the appetite and keeping the levels of sugar in the blood low. Agave nectar is very good in aiding the weight loss, reducing the risk of cancer, promoting the absorption of nutrients, lowering the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood and increasing the levels of good cholesterol in the blood.