Agave VS Fructose

Agave syrup, also called blue agave nectar, is produced from a cactus plant that grows in Mexico and is often marketed as a natural sweetener. Agave syrup is a possible replacement for regular sugar or sugar substitutes in your tea, yogurt or any recipes. Agave syrup may be more natural compared to other sweeteners; however, its high fructose content poses some concerns.

Nutritional Value

A tablespoon of agave syrup provides 60 calories and 16 g of carbohydrates, all sugars, which is very similar to other sweeteners. What differentiates agave nectar from other sweeteners, though, is its low glycemic index. This index indicates how quickly a food can cause your blood sugar to rise. Agave syrup's glycemic index value is 10 to 19, significantly lower than honey's range, between 35 and 58 and regular table sugar at 60, according to the University of Sydney Glycemic Index Database.

Fructose Content

Regular sugar is half fructose and half glucose. High-fructose corn syrup contains 55 percent fructose and 45 percent glucose. However, up to 90 percent of the sugar in agave syrup is fructose. This high fructose content accounts for its low glycemic index, which is an advantage; however, a high fructose intake is possibly associated with obesity and an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, according to the 2010 issue of "Physiological Reviews."

Fructose and Triglycerides

One of the reasons fructose is not advised as a sweetener for diabetics, despite its gentle effect on blood sugar levels, is that it can raise triglycerides. This is a risk factor for developing cardiovascular diseases, according to the January 2008 issue of "Diabetes Care." Thus, if you make agave syrup your main sweetener, you can significantly increase your fructose intake, leading to high triglycerides.

Fructose and Body Weight

Fructose is metabolized differently than glucose, bypassing some steps that make you feel satisfied after eating. Thus, high fructose intake may lead to overeating. Further, because fructose is easily converted to fat and stored in your fat cells, excess fructose consumption can lead to overweight and even obesity, as explained in the 2010 issue of "Physiological Reviews."