Oh Agave, what have I done?
- jmemka
- Oct 19, 2016
- 1 min read
Why do I use agave syrup? Actually I don't really know. I suppose it started with my wife and her transition from coffee to tea. It seems that the tea shops use is as an alternative to sugar and of course we use it that way as well. What do/did I know about it? Nothing other than it came out of a bottle and the label said it was organic. That means it has to be good for you, right?
Within minutes of looking into agave syrup I once again began to question this consumption habit for a number of reasons. The agave plant is slow growing, to harvest the nectar the plant needs to be killed completely, and production of the plant in Mexico is poorly managed, and there is widespread use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides. The increasing demands from the global market has also lead to the creation of massive agave farms which negatively impact the local environment and ecosystem.
As a healthy alternative to sugar there is also criticism. Agave syrup has a high fructose content and continual consumption could lead to insulin resistance and increase triglyceride levels which could contribute to heart disease.
I guess this is the last bottle of agave.