What is the difference between agave and maple syrup

Many foods that would otherwise warrant a sprinkling of table sugar already provide fiber. Dates also have small amounts of calcium and potassium. And sweeteners only work if you can use them to make something sweeter.

Like maple syrup, coconut sugar contains trace amounts of minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium. According to the American Heart Association, women should stick to less than 6 teaspoons of added sugar per day, and men should max out at no more than 9 teaspoons. How much sugar is too much. That means less of it would potentially turn into fat. But since coconut sugar is between 70 and 80 percent sucrose, it still raises your blood sugar. Gardner E.

The unbearable sweetness of sugar and sugar alternatives. You can stay, coconut sugar. To make this sweetener, the leaves of the stevia plant are dried, and the concentrated extract is filtered and turned into powder or liquid.

The final product is times sweeter than sugar, and some people complain that it has a bitter aftertaste. You might remember it being switched out for a poison in Breaking Bad. No calories also means it has no effect on your blood sugar. Arumugam B, et al. Stevia as a natural sweetener: A review.

Agave syrup also known as agave nectar is becoming a very popular natural sweetener. Agave usually comes from the blue agave plant , which is also used to make tequila and grows in the southwestern part of the US and the northern regions of South America.

Agave is almost twice as sweet as sugar, which means you need to use less of it compared to sugar. It is processed before use, like maple syrup, which is boiled before consumption. Maple syrup comes from the sugary sap of maple trees and has been known in America since the Indians. It is made by drilling a hole into the maple tree and collecting the sap that leaks out, after which it is boiled for the water to evaporate and leave the sweet syrup.

This is then filtered to make sure it is completely pure. Agave syrup is also processed to remove the excess water. Being thinner than maple syrup, agave is a great choice for use in liquids for sweetening. So which is the healthier choice? Here is a brief comparison table of the agave vs maple syrup nutritional facts per grams of each product. These agave maple syrup nutrition facts should be helpful in deciding which sweetener works best for you.

Before looking into the glycemic index of maple syrup vs. The answer: the glycemic index or GI is a measurement of the impact of carbohydrates on our blood sugar. Each bottle contains the same amount of sugar, but the difference in color and taste is attributed to how long the sap was boiled.

It also has fewer calories than other sweeteners like honey. The best part though is that maple syrup has many nutrients, including manganese, riboflavin, and zinc as well as small doses of potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, and selenium. Each has their own benefits they impart to the body:.

The biggest concern with maple syrup is that it contains sucrose, a naturally occurring sugar found in plants. While not inherently a bad thing, when consumed in large amounts, sucrose has some of the same problems of regular sugar, like contributing to weight gain. The best idea to keep in mind with sweeteners of any kind is to use them in moderation.

Both agave and maple syrup have a lower Glycemic Index than regular table sugar and can be enjoyed by anyone following a vegan diet. Because maple syrup offers some nutritional benefits like vitamins and minerals , it has a slight edge over agave syrup—particularly the more processed varieties. No matter which you choose, always be sure to check the ingredient label and purchase options that are pure agave or pure maple syrup and not pumped full of mystery additives or additional sugars, which can defeat the whole purpose of using them.

While maple syrup is always a staple with pancakes, and the lighter agave syrup can be an ideal add-on to beverages like coffee and tea, there are creative ways to use both as well. Use maple syrup to drench grilled peaches in this mouthwatering dessert that is a satisfying and naturally sweet snack.

Then, top them with a bit of yogurt, granola , and maple syrup instead of the honey called for in the recipe for a mix of texture and flavor. Finally, a gluten-free variety of this favorite bread that is dense, moist, and fruity. The primary sugar in agave nectar is a complex form of fructose, which gives it a much lower glycemic index than honey. Depending on the variety, honey's glycemic index usually falls in the range.

The glycemic index of agave nectar differs with type and manufacturer but usually falls between 11 and This makes it less likely to raise blood sugar or trigger the body's fat storage mechanisms. There is nothing more inconvenient than getting out a bottle of honey only to find that it has solidified into an unpourable, grainy mass. While the honey crystals can be re-liquefied by heating, they must be done carefully and at a low temperature to avoid caramelizing or scorching the sugars.

Agave syrup has a long shelf life and will not crystallize in the bottle. Agave is also thinner than honey, making it easier to measure and pour, and it dissolves well into liquids - even cold drinks.

Parents are vigorously warned not to give honey to children in their first year of life.