The Not So "Healthy" Natural Sweetener
Are you ready to have your naturally sweetened bubble burst?
I might upset a few people with this post but the truth needs to be spoken. When you start getting deliberate about the type of sugar (or the lack thereof) you’re putting in your body, this pseudo-health food is bound to come up. It’s a sneaky one because the way it’s branded often makes it seem like a good alternative to plain old sugar, but that’s simply not the case.
So what is this pseudo-health food? Agave syrup!
Agave sounds great in theory because it’s derived from the agave cactus, the food industry makes it out to be like the maple syrup. Unfortunately, agave syrup has a few major faults that make it better to stay away from.
Truth #1 Agave is closer to HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) than it is to natural sugar. WHAT?!
Agave is promoted as a low-glycemic sweetener, which is true, but what it lacks in glucose it makes up for in fructose. Agave is 85% fructose and like high fructose corn syrup causes major inflammation in the body. Fructose, unlike glucose overloads the liver and adds to insulin resistance. Fructose isn’t a problem when consumed in actual fruit because fruit has fiber, but alone, fructose is no Bueno. Just remember, fructose = sugar shot to the liver = spike to insulin = inflammation = disease.
Truth #2 Agave is a highly processed product
The sugary liquid extracted from the agave plant isn’t all that bad, it still contains enzymes and compounds called fructans which actually have beneficial effects on insulin. But that liquid is taken and boiled to become a thick syrup, destroying all the beneficial fructans and enzymes, making it a highly refined and processed sweetener.
Don't worry, there are lots of much healthier sweeteners out there.
Truly natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, and stevia are a much better options than agave.
Want even more great tips to help you lose weight, improve your digestion, increase your energy and end your sugar addiction once and for all?
Check out my new 6-week Sugar Repair program details here http://drlaramay.com/6-week-vibrant-sugar-repair
In the program, you get a ton of delicious satisfying recipes as well as strategies that will help you let go of the sugar habit, which will help you balance your mood, lose weight, improve your sleep, improve your skin, and so much more!
Or join me on my Facebook page, facebook.com/drlaramay, where I’ll be sharing more information, tips and recipes to help you live a happier, healthier life.
To your wellness,
- Lara
check out this FREE smoothie guide!
For more about the right way to add juicing & smoothies into your daily diet check out two of my past blogs...
drlaramay.com/blog/2017/7/7/7-ways-juicing-can-help-you-lose-weight
drlaramay.com/blog/2017/6/3/why-you-should-start-juicing-now
Also, click the image to the left to download a free smoothie guide to get all the goods to take with you.
Hi! I'm Lara (pronounced like Sarah, but with a L).
Are you ready to lose weight, reduce stress, and reinvigorate your life?!
Together let’s uncover your motivators for change, and turn your vision for your vibrant future into your new reality. Health coaching is a safe supportive process of aligning your dreams with your intentions, and taking small right actions toward reaching attainable goals every week. I am here to gently hold you accountable with action plans, assignments, support and feedback.
