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Agave Nectar

Level 5High concern

Agave Nectar is a other additive listed in the FDA food-additive database.

Also: agave syrup, agave

Where you'll see it

health-food sweetened products, granola, agave-sweetened beverages, vegan desserts

What the research says

Agave is marketed as 'natural' but is approximately 70-90% fructose — higher than HFCS or sucrose — making it the most fructose-dense common sweetener. Its low glycemic index hides high hepatotoxicity; identical to other sugars in driving NAFLD, glycation, and insulin resistance. [metabolical] Agave is marketed as 'natural' but is approximately 70-90% fructose — higher than HFCS or sucrose — making it the most fructose-dense common sweetener. Its low glycemic index hides high hepatotoxicity; identical to other sugars in driving NAFLD, glycation, and insulin resistance.

Regulatory status

  • Notes: From enrichment source only, not in Winter Dictionary

Sources

  • Metabolical (Lustig)Chapter 19; Chapter 21: it doesn't matter where the fructose comes from — fruit, sugar cane, beets — without the fiber, it all has the same metabolic effect