Agave – Not So Good

Agave – Not So Good

Despite its reputation as a worry-free sweetener, agave is actually full of sugar—sporting a fructose content of up to 90 percent. Too much fructose can cause scarring to the liver.  Sugar suppresses the activity of our white blood cells, which makes us more susceptible to infections such as colds, the flu, and other upper respiratory conditions, as well as cancer. In addition, it can also contribute to aging skin.  Dr. Perricone explains that “sugar overload can cause collagen fibers to lose their strength, making skin more vulnerable to sun damage, wrinkles, and sagging.” As we enter the holiday season of baking and sweets, the best sweeteners to use are:

1. Stevia (I like Sweet Leaf Vanilla Creme)
2. Coconut nectar
3. Pure maple syrup (organic)