Corn syrup has a glycemic index similar to white table sugar (mid 60’s), but it is only about sixty-five percent as sweet. Increased fructose intake has been linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular events. A tablespoon of honey has 64 calories, and only traces of many vitamins and minerals. In terms of agave syrup / maple flavor there is certainly something to be said for the former. Maple syrup has a low glycemic index of 54, while honey’s glycemic index of 61 is a little higher, making honey a moderate glycemic index food. I'm not a fan of honey, nor agave nectar, and high-fructose corn syrup is poison as far as I am concerned. Antioxidants are important for the body. My preferance is honey, molasses, and maple syrup. Agave syrup has a very sweet but mild flavor. Here, we take a closer look at two of the most popular alternatives, agave and maple syrup. Agave, like refined sugar and corn syrup have minimal antioxidant activity as compared to the robust antioxidants in raw honey and maple syrup. Both agave and honey contain glucose and fructose. How Agave and Honey Are Made. While maple syrup is delicious in some applications, its strong flavor and sometimes metallic overtones can make it a less versatile ingredient. So, does it mean that maple syrup is good for you? According to the USDA, maple syrup is also mainly sugar. It’s the main sweetener of almost every processed food. While the sweetness of agave and maple is comparable (and agave’s caloric count is higher), agave still has a lower glycemic index (between 11 and 30). The rest is glucose and fructose. Moving forward I will compare Honey and Maple Syrup. The two also vary in the number of sugars they contain. While this bacteria is harmless to anyone over the age of one year, it can produce toxins in an infant’s immature intestinal tract, causing sickness, hospitalization, and in rare cases, death. Furthermore, agave nectar contains much more fructose than even high fructose corn syrup. Agave is also thinner than honey, making it easier to measure and pour, and it dissolves well into liquids – even cold drinks. Why it’s bad for you? This means you can toss your agave and if you want to keep using a natural sweetener turn to good old natural maple syrup! Agave tastes a bit like honey, although with a slightly more neutral taste. One such health aspect is the percentage of fructose. It’s the same plant that produces tequila… So, is agave nectar good for you? This is then cooked like maple syrup, many producers sell this as ''raw ''which is not true. 3. A tablespoon of … The Test: We have four glasses with exactly the same thing: 1 oz of lemon juice and 1 oz of water. It’s lower than honey (58), and sugar (60). We should avoid the consumption of maple syrup, as well. Which is healthier honey, maple syrup, or agave? No. Fruits are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Even though raw honey and maple syrup are natural, they are still broken down in the body as sugar, and will spike your blood sugar. A registered dietitian explains the difference of agave vs. honey, including which one is the healthier choice and how they compare to table sugar. In no way, we can depend on honey to meet the daily requirements of minerals and vitamins. They replace honey, which is their food with cheap sugars. The light varieties of nectar can have a more neutral flavor than honey, making them less likely to interfere with or mask delicately flavored foods. While the honey crystals can be re-liquefied by heating, it must be done carefully and at a low temperature to avoid caramelizing or scorching the sugars. 3) Maple Syrup Real maple syrup has all the markers of a better sugar alternative, including a low glycemic index score and a low fructose content. For example, agave is a liquid like honey and maple syrup, making it a little more challenging to use when baking. Sourced straight from trees, it’s minimally processed and packed with even more minerals and antioxidants than honey, including manganese, riboflavin, zinc and magnesium. Agave syrup (or agave nectar) has a similar taste and texture to honey so it is a reasonable decision to compare these two alternatives against each other. Agave nectar is much sweeter than maple syrup, which means that you will need only a small amount to get a similar level of sweetness as a large amount of maple syrup. It’s lower than honey (58), and sugar (60). It’s high in soft drinks, as well. LET’S COMPARE NATURAL HONEY TO 100% PURE MAPLE SYRUP. There is nothing more inconvenient than getting out a bottle of honey only to find that it has solidified into an unpourable, grainy mass. As sugars go, pure maple syrup is one of the least harmful. - YouTube Agave syrup is not known to cause botulism in babies. In one study, honey decreased triglycerides in patients with hypertriglyceridemia and reduced low density lipoproteins in patients with hyperlipidemia, however, artificial honey had the opposite effects. Agave nectar is actually a syrup … Maple syrup can have a complex flavor with notes of vanilla, cinnamon and even hazelnut. However, some aspects can’t be overlooked. People exploit bees. For instance, it contains calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and manganese. Maple syrup, on the other hand, contains more minerals than honey. A tablespoon of maple syrup contains 52 calories, 12 grams of sugars, but no protein, fat, or fiber. It’s pure sugar. Contrary to glucose, fructose is metabolized only in liver. Parents are vigorously warned not to give honey to children in their first year of life. On today's episode of Live Lean TV, I'm sharing which is the healthiest natural sweetener: maple syrup vs honey vs agave nectar. We’re going to compare how much of the three alternative sweeteners it takes to taste as sweet as adding exactly 1 oz of Simple Syrup. Eating either, honey, or maple syrup will flood your blood with sugar. After all, honey is pure sugar. Agave nectar is a highly processed syrup that lacks nutrition. Knowing what honey and agave are and how they are made can help you further understand their health benefits. But, honey has a high Glycemic Index. Additionally, honey isn’t vegan. Brown rice syrup is a liquid sweetener often found in natural foods stores and recipes. Due to the high fructose content. Maple Syrup has caramel notes along with the woodsy maple flavor that you might expect from a maple syrup product. Analytically, honey is approximately 43% glucose and 50% fructose. The type of sugar in agave doesn't help, either. Agave. So, liver is stressed, every time we eat foods rich in fructose. What is agave nectar & syrup? Corn syrup is frequently used in recipes because it is an inert sugar, meaning that it will not crystallize. It seems that dark maple syrup is the richest in antioxidants, compared with the clear maple syrup. Therefore, you need to moderate usage. You can use it instead of maple syrup, or sugar. Agave nectar is most easily substituted for liquid sugars since it is already in liquid form and the difference in moisture will usually be negligible. They are the only healthy sugar source. So, does it mean that maple syrup is good for you? A syrup derived from the agave plant (yup, the same one that’s used to make tequila). Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Continue reading to discover the differences between honey vs. agave and their potential health benefits. Even though both are sticky, sweet substances that have a similar texture and viscosity, they are nutritionally different from each other. Mainly, due to the high fructose corn syrup. Agave syrup. If I was going to use a sugar-based sweetener of some kind, it would be 100% pure/natural grade A or B maple syrup (not to be confused with the fake, inexpensive "maple syrups" that crowd the shelves at the supermarket). All are high in sugars…. They are many plant-based foods which are high in minerals and vitamins. It has a medium-low glycemic index (54) and a higher degree of sweetness than table sugar for roughly the same number of calories. Honey still offers a lot of nutritional value and has been shown to support the immune system. However, agave contains a higher percentage of fructose, which is considered less healthy than glucose, as fructose is more likely to be stored as fat. Agave syrup is a little thinner than honey or molasses, so it mixes well in liquids like iced tea. Unfortunately, beekeepers may kill sick bees, instead of giving them medicine. Agave syrup has a long shelf life and will not crystallize in the bottle. Agave bears this same property, yet it is over twice as sweet as corn syrup and has half the glycemic index. Like maple syrup and honey, it undergoes minimal processing at low temperatures to remove excess water. Antioxidants fight free radicals in the human body, protecting us from diseases. Certainly, sugar isn’t good for you. There is no need to worry. Maple Syrup: 73 calories 19 grams carbohydrates (17 grams sugar) 46% daily value for manganese, 8 % zinc and 28 milligrams omega-6 fatty acids and 2% daily value for calcium, iron, and potassium. Honey was not used since the health benefits of honey has to do with its antimicrobial properties and varies by brand and location. Also, fruits can keep you full. Therefore, better avoid agave nectar, altogether. Simple Syrup vs. Honey, Agave Nectar & Maple Syrup. It’s the highest food in fructose. Furthermore, a teaspoon of agave nectar contains 21.4 calories and approximately 4.7 grams of sugars. Maple syrup vs Agave nectar. Especially people with diabetes should take extra care about the amount of honey they consume. Both honey and agave nectar are considered natural products, but they differ in how they end up on the grocery store shelf. When in doubt, stick primarily with pure maple syrup. Carbohydrates are not only found in sugar, such as in honey, maple syrup, white sugar, brown sugar and agave syrup, but are also present in large quantities in grains, starchy vegetables and fruits. So, what’s the best natural sweetener? But, fruit jam is the healthiest sweetener. While maple syrup has only 35% of it. Honey also contains more than three times the amount of riboflavin than maple syrup. One tablespoon of maple syrup contains 52 calories and 12.4 grams of sugar, roughly the same as table sugar. Pure maple syrup is made from the sap of maple trees, while honey is produced by bees from plant secretions. Furthermore, maple syrup contains traces of minerals and vitamins. However, agave nectar still has some advantages. Because of its lower glycemic index, it makes an excellent substitute for many natural and refined liquid sugars, including: Agave syrup has a number of advantages over honey syrup. Many people who find honey distasteful will still like the flavor of agave nectar. Parents are vigorously warned not to give honey to children in their first year of life. What do you need to know about agave vs maple syrup in terms of taste? Maple syrup is more nutrient-dense than honey or agave. Therefore, the health of bees is declined. Then there are a few regulated companies that follow a strict labeling of being -"raw organic blue agave" which is the best and most healthful, which is never heated more than 118 degrees and does not vary in shading, and has a mild flavor. Moreover, agave nectar is produced mainly by the blue agave plant in Mexico. It may contain minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, but the sugar content is huge. It’s a vegan substitute of honey. Huge amounts of sugar may lead to weight gain, type 2 diabetes and even heart disease. It can’t practically help us meet the daily requirements of micronutrients. You should restrict your carbohydrate intake to 45 g to 60 g per meal for best blood sugar control, according to the American Diabetes Association. It’s about as sweet as honey, but with a slightly thinner consistency. If you really want to eat a healthy sweetener, make your own homemade fruit jam. Agave nectar. They don’t contain any antioxidants. Nowadays, fructose is everywhere. The most important health benefit of maple syrup is that it contains antioxidants. More about agave. Chopped apple, walnuts, cinnamon, honey drizzle heated in the microwave for ~30 seconds. Honey, on the other hand, contains 17.4 grams of carbohydrates with 17.3 of them being mainly … Certainly, maple syrup doesn’t contain any significant amounts of minerals and vitamins. Eating either, honey, or maple syrup will flood your blood with sugar. Agave is also thinner than honey, making it easier to measure and pour, and it dissolves well into liquids – even cold drinks. Safe for Babies. Berries are an excellent choice. Cheap sugars aren’t good for the health of the bees. Moreover, 97% of sugars is sucrose. The best solution is to eat lots of fruits. Moreover, 82% of sugar is fructose, and only 18% is glucose. But agave mixes well in liquids such as teas or smoothies. It may contain minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, but the sugar content is huge. For instance, people worry about calcium, iron or zinc deficiencies when they eat plant-based foods. Certainly, honey contains antioxidants (1). Agave Nectar value | Agave Nectar is bad | Honey value | Honey isn’t vegan | Maple Syrup value | Maple Syrup is bad, What’s the best sweetener? Blue Agave is native to Mexico and is regarded for its use in making tequila—but don’t worry, agave syrup is completely safe for the whole family. Maple Syrup, Honey, and Agave: The Sweet Truth Behind the 3 Most Commonly Recommended HEALTHY Sweeteners. Many would argue that honey isn’t vegan, so maple syrup would be the obvious choice for a healthy vegan sugar option. Bottom line on maple syrup vs honey vs agave nectar. The most daunting property of maple syrup may be its price. InnoGear Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser Review. Orbon Alija Getty Images. According to the USDA, agave nectar is mainly sugars. Is Agave nectar, Honey, or Maple syrup the best natural sweetener? That’s pretty high. Thanks to its fructose, agave syrup is about 1.5 times sweeter than table sugar and it has a much lower GI (Glycemic Index). If you don’t like the taste of honey, you may find agave’s neutral taste more appealing. It’s just a cheaper solution…. More about agave nectar and its health risks here. Honey is also pure sugar. Agave nectar and maple syrup do not taste the same. Agave syrup or nectar is extracted from several species of the agave plant in Mexico but it's big point of difference is that it's mostly fructose, whereas sugar is half fructose and half glucose. It should not be … Agave: 80 calories In my house right now I have honey, maple syrups (grades A and B), backstrap molasses, organic dark brown sugar, a little bit of agave, regular light brown sugar, turbinado sugar, and a some brown sugar. Why we think maple syrup is better than Agave syrup! The sweet source from the agave plant also has less of a glycemic load when in its pure form. On the contrary, a plant-based diet can provide all the vitamins and minerals, we need. ... and use dates, honey or maple syrup in place of sugar as often as I can. Studies have shown that honey may have potential health benefits, such as decreased: Even though, scientists propose to avoid excess consumption of honey, as it significantly increases blood sugar. While the caloric count of brown rice syrup is similar to agave syrup, agave is close to three times as sweet as brown rice syrup, so one can use much less agave to achieve the same level of sweetness. It’s pure sugar. Agave, derived from the agave plant, is a succulent native to the Americas. On the other hand, maple syrup has a Glycemic Index of 54. Moreover, agave nectar will put tremendous … This is because honey frequently contains bacteria that can cause botulism. Agave nectar, honey, or maple syrup? Maple syrup comes from refining the sap of a variety of maple trees. It doesn’t contain any significant amounts of minerals or vitamins. Agave syrup has a long shelf life and will not crystallize in the bottle. If you’ve decided to stop using sugar and are looking to find healthier alternatives, you may be considering to choose between agave or honey. Agave Nectar has a bland taste making it ideal for those who don't want a large flavor difference in their recipe when choosing an alternative sweetener. You only need fresh fruit, lemon juice, and sugar. Homemade raw energy balls/bars sweetened with dates and/or honey. allaboutagave.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 1 tbsp of pure maple syrup = 52 calories 13 grams of carbohydrates, 12 grams are from sugars. When it comes to all natural sweeteners, make sure you don’t overdo it. Because it takes approximately 40 gallons of raw maple sap to produce a single gallon of finished syrup, the cost of pure maple syrup can be easily twice that of agave syrup, making it prohibitively priced for regular use. Agave syrup has 90% fructose, which is not very healthy for the body. Agave nectar is a “natural” sweetener. Agave is bad for you. Eat a variety of whole plant-based foods to deal with deficiencies. Though it is said to have a low glycemic index (20), it is not recommended for diabetics, since its sweetness comes from maltose, which is known to cause spikes in blood sugar. Unlike honey, agave syrup is completely vegan, meaning it can be used by individuals who do not wish to use any product associated with animals. Pure maple syrup contains 13.5 grams of carbohydrates, 12.4 of those grams being mostly sucrose, a complex sugar. Agave is a syrupy sweetener that comes from the juice of the same-named succulent plant. I had sucanat until I used it up last week. Is vegan food a good dietary source of vitamin B12. While it commonly tops pancakes and waffles, it's also become a trendy addition to coffee beverages, appearing most recently in Starbucks' new maple pecan latte. According to the University of Sydney, honey has a Glycemic Index of 58. All agave nectar will be primarily sweet with an accompanying caramel note in the darker varieties. Moreover, agave nectar will put tremendous stress to your liver. Prefer darker maple syrup. No. On the other hand, every cell in the body can use glucose, without further processing. Agave does have either a light or dark amber color - the darker it is the clos… Practically, beekeepers steal honey from bees. We should avoid the consumption of maple syrup, as well. In addition to this, maple syrup is rich in antioxidants, while Agave has little to no antioxidants in it. "Agave is basically a highly refined, unhealthy syrup." Agave … Honey vs Agave: Short Introduction. 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