Agave: A Triumph of Marketing over Truth

re: Agave: A Triumph of Marketing over Truth

JakeFantom — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:48:36 GMT

I want to thank aboutlife and D_Truth for their constructive comments. Personally, I have embarked on a low glycemic load diet, which includes a small amount of agave-sweetened coconut-milk ice cream each day. So far, I've lost about six pounds. By switching to foods with a low glycemic load (such as agave syrup in place of other sugars), I am much less hungry. The statement that "Since most agave syrup has such a high percentage of fructose, your blood sugar will likely spike" is blatant nonsense. Fructose has been proven to have a very low glycemic index and glycemic load, so by definition, it doesn't create a spike in blood sugar. And when it comes to the evils of marketing... well, I notice an awful lot of products being marketed on this site too.

re: Agave: A Triumph of Marketing over Truth

amacd55 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:18:39 GMT

Too bad cacao beans don't melt.

re: Agave: A Triumph of Marketing over Truth

energymaster — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:57:10 GMT

"Agave syrup is not a live food. The natural enzymes are removed to prevent agave syrup from fermenting and turning into tequila in your food pantry or cabinet."

Is there a way we can put them back in?

re: Agave: A Triumph of Marketing over Truth

carolyleo — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:02:50 GMT

I quit drinking soda about 15 years ago. I used to put sugar in my Ice Tea, I make 5 gallons at a time. I don't like Stevia, everyone processes it different. I started using MadHava Agave in my tea (8oz per gallon) and it is great, does not leave a bitter taste on your tongue like sugar does. But if Fructose is so bad, I guess we will all have to quit eating fruit! I only drink tea and water. I have drank tea all my life, my blood pressure is normal, so is my cholesterol, good bone mass and muscle (age 60). I do use organic sugar, only if I make any cookies, etc. No, I am not skinny, but I would like to lose some weight, but where I live it is to HOT to exercise (110 degrees) .

It would be nice if Doctor Mercola would investigate, all the manufactures of Agave, and also come up with a good answer to a decent sweetener. I think I have the best Stevia on the market, it dissolves instantly, but has a nutty taste and leaves a residue on your tongue.

re: Agave: A Triumph of Marketing over Truth

Susie Hagemeister — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:12:07 GMT

Mercola isn't the only one who says agave syrup is bad. So does the Weston A. Price Foundation. Very reliable.

re: Agave: A Triumph of Marketing over Truth

lovitz — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:14:40 GMT

I eliminated all high fructose from my diet and now I read that agave is a highly concentrated sugar... actually very much like high fructose!

My chiropractor is the one who said to use this as it is not as harmful as regular sugar.... well, I am going back to my pure maple syrup for

my french toast, pancakes etc. we seldon have these treats so its not like we are swimming in sugar.... I am really getting disgusted with

this eat healthier menu I am truying to put together from learining so much about nutrition from my chrio...not only is it more expensive

which is hard when you are on a budget and most of us are nowadays, but I am really not trusting some of it. I still think that there

are some pecticides in organic food. I was quite suprised to read this as my chiropractor is a big fan of Dr. Mercolas's... wonder if he

will be surprised when I show him this!

re: Agave: A Triumph of Marketing over Truth

aboutlife — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:46:03 GMT

Also, I checked the studies on www.pubmed. Most of the studies done on Agave have to do with tequilla or the studying the whole plant, or studying isolated chemicals from the Agave plant. There are not many, actually there are none that I saw in a quick scan of them, that have tested Agave nectar by itself. It would be prudent if someone wanted to do a study, to do it with the actual product, not isolated fructose. Even in a product like agave nectar there are other ingredients that may prove it to react differently in the body than isolated fructose. Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater quite yet.

re: Agave: A Triumph of Marketing over Truth

aboutlife — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:35:46 GMT

Please be sure to do your own research and not just rely on Mercola. I have spoken with the both major agave companies and neither of them are chemically processed. They HAVE measured the glycemic indexes of their agave nectars...and if your going to come down on agave, you also have to come down on every sweetener. Even honey can have a fructose content over 50%. They do test every batch to make sure that it is not cut with corn syrup. The Wholesome Sweetener company that makes Blue Agave only processes with low temperature evaporation. Madhava processes with an ORGANIC enzyme at a slightly warmer temperature but still low. It is processed very similar to Organic Maple Syrup, and of course Maple syrup is used by many in the health world. The only thing I do agree with, is that one should not over-consume any sugar....he makes it sound very scary here, but if you just isolate one nutrient, you can be deplete other nutrients, and have all the other issues he has stated here. The problem with these studies is that one can make them say what one wants. If you feed a rat 6 times it's body weight in any sugar substance you are going to have problems. Moderate levels of fructose are not a problem. Think, God made fruit with fructose. Don't let yourselves fear eating fructose or you would cut out many of the foods God created. At the same time, use some smarts and don't overdo on ANY sweets. The Bible even says that too much honey makes one sick. If you have questions, call the agave companies, research the scientific studies. I appreciate Dr. Mercola and think he's right on many times. Of course, eat fresh foods and you won't need a lot of sweeteners anyway...and we all know that's best! It's frustrating that ALL that facts on both sides are not presented in a balanced way, but this article is highly sensationalized and way over the top on stating dangers without the balance of critical thinking.

re: Agave: A Triumph of Marketing over Truth

curious7 — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:46:09 GMT

I am a multi national, multi billion dollar business, and I can do anything. Let see, let us take human solid, and liquid waste, blend it all together, bottle it, give it some fantastic attributes, and market it. Because I have such a bankrool the FDA will look the other way, and by the time anyone discovers what exactly is in my bottles I will have made billions more. Why? Well there is no such thing as an independant review, the primates at the FDA have the final say.

re: Agave: A Triumph of Marketing over Truth

HK student — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:50:03 GMT

My Alternative Health Care Practitioner muscle tested me to see which sugar/sweetener was best for my system and Agave' won out over honey, real maple syrup & stevia. So basically if you want to know what is best or agrees with your system either muscle test yourself or have someone muscle test you who knows what they are doing. Just my experience. This may not be what you choose.

re: Agave: A Triumph of Marketing over Truth

alm260 — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:51:59 GMT

www.sweetsavvy.com/.../summary.php

re: Agave: A Triumph of Marketing over Truth

geamantan — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:49:55 GMT

Thanks, Dr. Mercola, for the interesting article and facts on agave!

KellyRV, you said about your husband: "He said there is a long list of chemicals allowed in "organic" farming." Does this mean that there are certain chemicals allowed to be sprayed onto organic crops, or just a certain amount of chemicals allowed to be on/in the crops (that, perhaps, they may have absorbed from the soil)? I live in Europe and I think the European organic standards are somewhat better than the US', although even in Germany I saw organic lunch meat with I believe nitrites or nitrates in them. Almost makes me want to grow all my own food . . .

re: Agave: A Triumph of Marketing over Truth

Russell Cunningham — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 06:20:38 GMT

The best way to sweeten is to grow your own stevia. Find your local herb farm and buy a couple of stevia plants. Harvest in autumn and the dried leaves will keep you sweet.

Of course the very best way is to sweeten yourself using EFT & NLP. Then you can clear your sweet cravings and any emotional issues.

Russell Cunningham - Ausdtralian Institute Of Self Development

re: Agave: A Triumph of Marketing over Truth

gaiasfire — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:46:12 GMT

So how is stevia liquid created then?? I'd be interested to know if it goes through heating and processing to make a dried herb liquid. From my understanding, too much of any one thing can be counter productive to health. If someone has diabetes, they should try the herb Gymnema to curb the sweet flavour, and look at how they can find sweetness in other areas of their life, not just through food. I've been using raw agave nectar and feel it has its place in small quantities. There's people out there who will tell you the evils of chocolate and cacao which is full of antioxidants. I think its a matter of tuning in to your own inner voice and making up your own mind.

re: Agave: A Triumph of Marketing over Truth

chumnutzly — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:41:20 GMT

What about Yakon Syrup? Is that bad too?