Agave nectar is a sweetener that is made from the agave cactus, which is primarily found in Mexico. The sweetener is commonly used to sweeten beverages, oatmeal and baked goods. The nectar is safe for human consumption but may cause adverse reactions if you have certain medical conditions or you have an allergy to agave. Report any symptoms that occur after ingesting agave nectar to your health care provider. Your doctor may recommend a challenge diet to determine whether the agave nectar is triggering your symptoms.
Fructose Intolerance
Agave nectar is primarily fructose -- the sugar found in fruit, honey and maple syrup. If you've been diagnosed with fructose intolerance, you should not use agave nectar. Fructose intolerance is caused by a deficiency in your digestive system of the aldolase B enzyme, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Without this enzyme your body cannot break down the sugar for the body to absorb it. When this occurs, your blood sugar level can drop quickly and cause various dangerous chemical reactions to occur. Ingesting agave nectar with this condition can cause damage to your liver and other health complications.
Allergic Reaction
An allergic reaction can occur whenever you introduce a new substance into your diet. If your immune system identifies the proteins in the agave nectar as a threat to your body, when they are actually safe, you will experience an allergic reaction. The immune system overreacts and creates immunoglobulin E antibodies to fight off the proteins, according to MedlinePlus. This triggers a chemical chain reaction that can lead to inflammation in your sinuses, lungs, throat, face and digestive system. You may develop diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, wheezing, coughing, sinus congestion and skin rashes.
Severe Reaction
A severe allergic reaction can cause anaphylactic shock, an extreme reaction that affects your entire body. Excessive amounts of histamine and IgE antibodies enter the body, overwhelming it and sending it into a state of shock. Common signs of anaphylaxis include the inability to breathe, dizziness, a faint pulse, rapid heart rate and mental confusion, according to MayoClinic.com. This type of reaction will require emergency medical personal. An epinephrine injection will be administered to alleviate your symptoms.
Challenge Diet
Your doctor may recommend a challenge diet to confirm that agave nectar is triggering your symptoms. Stop consuming agave nectar for one week and document any symptoms you develop. After the week of elimination, introduce a teaspoon of agave nectar into your body. Record any reactions. Continue to increase the amount of agave you consume daily by a teaspoon until you develop symptoms or consume a common single serving of the sweetener. Talk with your doctor about your findings.
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