I found this on Dr Davis's blog, FWIW.
Anna said...
I've noticed something interesting at my local "natural" food store (sort of a smaller local clone of Whole Foods) ... and that is the infiltration of agave syrup, both as a product and as an ingredient in processed organic food products. This store proudly states that it doesn't carry foods with HFCS (nor will it sell lard, but that is another rant) yet agave syrup is far worse in terms of high fructose content and all the health problems that concentrated fructose causes (high triglycerides, AGEs, uncontrolled hunger, insulin resistance, obesity, etc.
As I will get roller coaster blood glucose levels if I don't carefully watch my sugar and starch intake, I looked into agave syrup, because in the last year it was often recommended to me for its "low glycemic" index. It is often labeled "safe for diabetics".
Well, raw or not, agave syrup (nectar) is an extremely concentrated source of fructose, because the agave juice is hydrolyzed with enzymes to break apart the sugar molecules, allowing the glucose sugar molecules to be removed (I don't care if heat isn't used or if minerals remain, if that isn't "processing", what is?). According to Wikipedia, the fructose content can be as high as 92% in some brands of agave syrup. Compare that to 50% fructose in table sugar and 55% in HFCS.
No one I have talked to who uses or recommends agave syrup is aware of this (especially at the store level), yet agave syrup is halled as a superior, "healthy" sugar to use (perhaps with abandon?), especially for diabetics and anyone who is health conscious. Enough to make your toes curl, isn't it?
I have kept my triglycerides low (last lab 52) and that is pretty typical for me) since 2004 by reducing all sugars and starches (especially wheat) to a minimum, except for some non-starchy veggies and some very dark chocolate (70-88% cocoa solids). I can achieve normal blood glucose levels without medication this way. Prior to 2004 my triglycerides were well nearly 200 all the time. With my gestational diabetes history and current impaired glucose intolerance (despite normal weight) the last thing I need is worsen things by using HF agave syrup because it is labeled a "low-glycemic" or "healthy", safer sugar.
January 31, 2008
Dr. Davis said...
Thanks, Anna. I wasn't aware of that. |
