I have two unopened bottles of agave nectar and waver about using
them. I read it is healthy, then I read it is about on a par with
HFCS. Has anyone done research on its merits--or lack thereof?

While I'm at it, has anyone researched or used yacon syrup? I
have only scratched the surface and saw claims that it was
extremely low on the GI. BUT that was probably from a
manufacturer or same. I wrote to Montignac, who supposedly
replies to mail within a few days, and have heard nothing.

I am also curious about yacon syrup's flavor and performance. Is
it a 1:1 substitute for any other liquid sweetener?

Thanks for any responses.
--
Jean B.

In article >, "Jean B." >
wrote:

> I have two unopened bottles of agave nectar and waver about using
> them. I read it is healthy, then I read it is about on a par with
> HFCS. Has anyone done research on its merits--or lack thereof?

Well, I consider HFCS to be healthy, too. Some agave nectar goes
through a similar process to HFCS, converting the sugar to fructose.
Fructose is much sweeter than other sugars, and it is slow to digest,
giving it a low GI. On the other hand, some reputable people think
fructose is a poison, because it isn't digestible in the GI tract, and
requires other means in the liver. On the other hand (we all have three
hands, don't we?), those same people say that regular sugar is poison,
also, since the body very quickly breaks it down, and half becomes
fructose very quickly.

I happen to believe that if you restrict your consumption of sugar, and
eat a balanced diet, maybe it doesn't matter too much. But then, I'm
not a reputable doctor, either.

What it clear, is that some folks, including children, are consuming a
large amount of fructose, as part of an unbalanced diet, on a daily
basis, all year.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA

Dan Abel wrote:
> In article >, "Jean B." >
> wrote:
>
>> I have two unopened bottles of agave nectar and waver about using
>> them. I read it is healthy, then I read it is about on a par with
>> HFCS. Has anyone done research on its merits--or lack thereof?
>
> Well, I consider HFCS to be healthy, too. Some agave nectar goes
> through a similar process to HFCS, converting the sugar to fructose.
> Fructose is much sweeter than other sugars, and it is slow to digest,
> giving it a low GI. On the other hand, some reputable people think
> fructose is a poison, because it isn't digestible in the GI tract, and
> requires other means in the liver. On the other hand (we all have three
> hands, don't we?), those same people say that regular sugar is poison,
> also, since the body very quickly breaks it down, and half becomes
> fructose very quickly.
>
> I happen to believe that if you restrict your consumption of sugar, and
> eat a balanced diet, maybe it doesn't matter too much. But then, I'm
> not a reputable doctor, either.
>
> What it clear, is that some folks, including children, are consuming a
> large amount of fructose, as part of an unbalanced diet, on a daily
> basis, all year.
>

Well, thanks for that, Dan. Every little bit of knowledge helps.

--
Jean B.