Blue Agave Nectar Health Benefits

Agave is a cactus plant native from Mexico from which a sweetener can be made. Marketed as a natural sweetener, blue agave nectar can be used as any other sweetener. Many products now include agave as an ingredients, from energy drinks, bottled teas and nutrition bars to desserts. The number of agave products available on the market more than tripled between 2003 and 2007, according to the March 30, 2009 issue of the L.A. Times.

Low Glycemic Index

The glycemic index is a tool used to categorize carbohydrate-containing foods according to their impact over your blood sugar levels. Foods with a high glycemic index create large fluctuations in your blood sugar levels, which can lead to hypoglycemia, uncontrolled diabetes, high triglycerides and an increased cardiovascular risk. On the other hand, low glycemic index foods can help you smooth out your blood sugar response after eating. Blue agave nectar has a low glycemic index compared to most sweeteners, which is beneficial to better manage your blood sugar levels.

Sweetening Power

Blue agave nectar is up to three times sweeter compared to regular sugar. In other words, 1 tsp. of agave nectar tastes like 3 tsp. of sugar in terms of sweetness. The advantage of the greater sweetening power of blue agave nectar is that you can use less of it to obtain the same sweet taste. Blue agave nectar has about the same amount of calories and carbohydrates when compared to sugar. However, if you can use smaller amounts of it due to its sweeter taste, you may be able to reduce your calorie and sugar intake, which can help you lose weight and be healthier.

Special Considerations

It is important to consider the type of sugar found in blue agave nectar. Unlike most sugars, which contain roughly the same amount of glucose and fructose, the sugar in blue agave nectar is 90 percent fructose and 10 percent glucose. A high fructose content is associated with impaired satiety signals, which can lead to weight gain or an inability to lose weight. Moreover, high intakes of fructose are associated with high triglyceride levels, which increase the likelihood of developing heart diseases, according to a 2008 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition."

Sugar Is Sugar Is Sugar

Although blue agave nectar may have a low glycemic index and a greater sweetening power which can allow you to use smaller quantities, it is important to understand that agave is very similar to sugar. It does not provide significant sources of important nutrients and should be used in small amounts, as a treat, and not on a regular basis. If you have diabetes, the carbohydrates contained in agave syrup should be counted as part of your daily carbohydrate intake.