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So I heard agave nectar makes ice cream more creamy..

so I was going to go buy some. Before doing that I decided to look it up on the internet, and I saw that agave nectar is mostly fructose, which is a horrible form of sugar.

I just wanted to know if this is true, and if it is, then why do people say its so much better than other sweetners??

Comments

  • I am curious to see what source that info comes from. Agave nectar, in its raw state is found from cactus plants. It’s a natural sweetener. However, not all forms of agave are raw. In my local co-op, there are several different types and brands of agave, but they aren’t raw. There is a rack that has strictly raw products on it, and that’s where I get my agave. I think it takes doing some research to know what your buying…I don’t really believe that agave nectar is a horrible form of sugar.

  • suzyqsuzyq Raw Newbie

    How come fructose is a horrible form of sugar? I know that high fructose corn syrup is pretty horrible, but that’s because it’s a highly refined and concentrated sugar—and I just checked and it turns out it is part fructose and part glucose. But just fructose is found in all kinds of plants—fruits and root veggies and things like that. I’ve heard good and bad things about fructose as an alternative to glucose or sucrose. I think fructose is supposed to be better for diabetics because it doesn’t affect blood sugar as much…? Anyway, I’m curious about why fructose might be bad!

  • woops.. actually the website that i was looking at was actually talking about the artificial product, which came from the fructose from fruits after the fruits were processed…. so i guess fructose in it’s natural form is totally safe. i still can’t figure out if it’s really healthier than other types of sugar though…

  • RawKidChefRawKidChef Raw Newbie

    Agave does contain high fructose corn syrup, and is heated, even if it says raw. If you want the link to where I found this out just ask. The only source I know of for truly raw agave with no added high fructose corn syrup is Ultimate Raw Foods In Mexico. I don’t have the website link riht now but will post it when I get it.

  • RawKidChefRawKidChef Raw Newbie

    Agave does contain high fructose corn syrup, and is heated, even if it says raw. If you want the link to where I found this out just ask. The only source I know of for truly raw agave with no added high fructose corn syrup is Ultimate Raw Foods In Mexico. I don’t have the website link riht now but will post it when I get it.

  • angie207angie207 Raw Master

    The agave nectar I get (Madhava brand) says on the label “specially produced at temps below 115 F” – The company says this is possible because of changing the air pressure so it doesn’t have to get heated up as much as most. I have type 1 diabetes, and both fructose and corn syrup spike my blood sugar and then it comes down quick with my insulin, too. The agave I use does not have this effect AT ALL. It raises my blood sugar slooooowly and it doesn’t come down very quickly with the insulin – it absorbs more like when I eat sprouted grain breads or something similar that has no sweeteners or quick-acting sugars. It also feels good to my body, and eating intuitively & high-raw for almost 3 years, I guarantee that it would not appeal to me if it had high fructose corn syrup in it :)

    RawKidChef – please do provide the link – but if it’s the same source that bashes people for selling raw cacao, I don’t trust their motives – not scientifically based & sounds like someone trying to put David Wolfe out of business. If it’s not that source, I’d be interested to see what they have to say.

  • rachel_akikorachel_akiko Raw Newbie

    Angie, thanks for the info! It’s good to know I can keep using Madhava agave nectar, because the blue agave syrup is way too expensive, like two dollars more. :D

  • rachel_akikorachel_akiko Raw Newbie

    Angie, thanks for the info! It’s good to know I can keep using Madhava agave nectar, because the blue agave syrup is way too expensive, like two dollars more. :D

  • angie207angie207 Raw Master

    rachel – I buy it by the gallon! I use it more right now than any other sweetener, although I have started using dates sometimes. :)

  • I’ve done quite a bit of research on agave nectars, and can tell you that most agave nectars are NOT raw. This goes especially for any blue agave nectars, which are pretty NEVER raw. If you want to make sure you are getting a raw agave, stick with Madhava. I have personally spoken with the owner, and he was walked me through the process they use for extracting agave. So as long as you buy their Raw Agave, you’ll be getting raw agave.

    Hope this helps.

  • RawKidChefRawKidChef Raw Newbie

    Link:

    http://www.giveittomeraw.com/forum/topic/show?i…

    Angie, this has nothing to do with David Wolfe and if a forum. This guy knows, trust me. I have Madhava, and nowhere on the packaging does it say below 115. Are you sure?

  • Madhava sells both raw and non raw varieties of agave. The RAW version should say under 115. Check your bottle to see whether its the raw kind.

  • Also, the post you link to has responses from several people invalidating what “Chef BeLive” says. I don’t know why he’s plugging for Ultimate Raw Foods, but I don’t trust what he says.

  • angie207angie207 Raw Master

    rishi – thanks for the info. & the clarifications. I forgot to mention that Madhava also sells non-raw agave :) Around here, stores used to only sell the non-raw one, and even now, some of them still do, and a lot of people don’t know the difference, but the more I find out, the more fortunate I realize I am to live in this area with access to so many wonderful raw & living foods, even without ordering online :)

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