23. Agave Syrup
Most people are aware of the negative health effects of sugar by now, but many of us still think that natural alternatives are always good for us. When it comes to Agave Syrup though, a natural sweetener that’s often sold as a sugar replacement, that’s simply not the case.
Agave Syrup is made from the Agave plant, a succulent that grows in dry regions of Mexico, but although many people are now turning to this natural substance to sweeten drinks and snacks, science is discovering it might actually be even worse than sugar! Agave syrup is refined and processed, and has a fructose content of 80%, which is much higher than sugar, which is 50% fructose. Studies have demonstrated that high fructose foods can cause insulin resistance , weight gain, and memory deficiency, while researchers from the University of Barcelona linked high fructose consumption to metabolic disorders and poor blood vessel function.
Ideally it’s better not to add extra sweeteners to your drinks and meals at all – and this can be done, but admittedly it does take some getting used to. If you feel you need some added sweetness in your tea, coffee, or breakfast cereal and you want to avoid artificial sugar replacements though, ultimately, you’d be better off swapping out sugar for honey.
