If you're like me you've begun to read food labels and avoid anything containing high fructose corn syrup.
You've learned that the inexpensive and prevalent sweetener has been associated with the rise of obesity.
It also may contribute to heart problems in that it raises your triglyceride level.
Also, like me, you may have discovered Agave Nectar and thought it was the answer to the problem.
The Story of Agave Nectar For hundreds if not thousands of years the people in central Mexico have sweetened their food with the sap of one of the species of the agave plant.
They would take the sap and boil it down into a nice sweet substance.
This is the story that has been told to sell the products "Agave Nectar 100% Natural Sweetener" and "Organic Raw Blue Agave Nectar.
" The problem is this wonderful history lesson has nothing to do with the products you find on the shelves of your stores.
The food industry has lied to you again.
Unlike the natural Agave syrup that has been made for possiblythousands of years, the formula for what is found in our stores was developed in some lab within the past 20 years.
Yes, what you buy is made from the Agave plant; however, it is made from the root of the plant and not from the sap.
Add Chemicals, Enzymes, Stir and Ruin Someone's Health The root is very different from the sap.
The root consists of starch and must be broken down with a combination of chemicals and enzymes in a similar process used to turn corn into high fructose corn syrup.
The resulting concentration of fructose is 70% or more.
The digestion process breaks this down into fatty acids that result in fat added to your body.
You must realize that this fructose is not the kind you find in an apple.
It is different and your body handles it differently.
Another problem with this syrup is that certain species of the plant contain something called "saponins.
" The food industry puts a spin on saponins resulting in information leading you to believe these are good for you.
The truth is that this substance is toxic and can even cause miscarriages.
Be Aware of Marketing All marketing is devised to convince you to buy something, be it food or ideas.
It is your responsibility to gather information from various sources and make your own decisions.
Ultimately, you are the one whose health is affected by what you put in and on your body.
That means you are the one responsible for gathering information.