Should you replace your sports drinks and table sugar with more “natural” sweeteners?

Agave is a natural sugar that’s gaining popularity.  Made from species of the Mexican agave cactus (also used to make tequila!), it’s considered by some a “raw food” and used as a sugar substitute as it tastes sweeter than honey, is less viscous, is vegan and kosher. Although it is less processed than table sugar, you wonder – does that mean it's healthier too?

A little science lesson: Agave is made up of 84% fructose (see comparison table). Although our diet has always contained some fructose from fruit, intakes have skyrocketed processed foods and soft drinks. Eating large amounts of fructose have been linked with obesity and an increased risk of heart disease because of the way our bodies process this type of sugar. Fructose may even impact the signals to our brain that tell us when we are full.

So should you run scared from all sources of sugar? Of course not! I love brown sugar sprinkled on top of a latté or maple syrup drizzled over yogurt. I recommend sticking to 100 calories or less (6.5tsp/25g) of added sugar per day.  As always, “everything in moderation”.

Comparison Table of Sugars
*sucrose is broken down by our bodies to glucose and fructose (50% each)

What choices do you make when it comes to sugar?

by Kate Comeau and Vanessa Brown