Agave nectar, also called agave syrup, is a sweet syrup made from the filtered juice of the agave plant native to Mexico. It is typically made from a different agave species (Agave salmania) than is used to make tequila (Agave tequilina).
To make the syrup, the agave juice would first be extracted by pulping and pressing the harvested leaves. The filtered juices would then be heated in a tank to evaporate the water and break down the complex sugars into simple sugars.
Another method of production uses enzymes derived from the Aspergillus fungus to break the bonds that hold together the complex sugar molecules.
This results in a concentrated, sweetened nectar comprised of 90 percent fructose which has a lower glycemic index (GI) than most other sweeteners, including sugar. While this may suggest that agave syrup is a good option for a low-carb diet, the facts don't necessarily bear up to those assumptions.
While agave nectar is natural and has a lower GI than other sweeteners, that shouldn't suggest that it's a "healthier" option if you are a low-carb eater.
From a nutritional standpoint, a teaspoon of agave nectar has between four and five grams of net carbohydrates and a total of 20 calories. In terms of carbohydrates alone, that places more or less in the same league as table sugar, corn syrup, molasses, or sugar in any other guise.
With a single teaspoon of agave nectar, you would the same amount of carbs as the above-listed foods but without the added benefit of fiber, protein, fat, or minerals.
While it is true that agave nectar is primarily fructose and that fructose is less glycemic than glucose, that doesn't mean it won't affect your blood sugar.
Unlike glucose, fructose is almost entirely metabolized in the liver in a process known as fructolysis. During fructolysis, fructose will be converted by the liver into four different things:
Around 15 percent to 20 percent will be converted into the stored form of glucose, known as glycogen, and warehoused in the liver for future use.
The rest will be converted into triglycerides, a type of fat associated with an increased risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and heart disease.
It is this last issue—triglycerides—that makes agave nectar especially unsuitable if you have a pre-existing cardiovascular condition, metabolic syndrome, or insulin resistance.
Whichever sweetener you ultimately choose, it is important to remember that additional calories of any sort can cause weight gain, which is an independent risk factor for diabetes and heart disease.
Fructose, like sucrose, can be detrimental to your oral health. When you eat fructose, the bacteria on tooth surfaces will metabolize the sugar to form acid. This lowers the pH of tooth plaque below 5.5, causing the enamel of the tooth to demineralize.
When the pH is restored above 5.5, usually within 20 to 30 minutes of eating fructose, the enamel can be repaired, at least in part, by calcium and phosphate released from the saliva.
While agave nectar cannot be considered an improvement over any other type of sugar in a low-carb diet, that shouldn't suggest that it is without its benefits.
For a usability standpoint, agave syrup is around one and a half times sweeter than table sugar, meaning that you can use less to sweeten beverages of food. If you are looking for a neutral flavor, you can opt a light agave nectar which has a slightly golden color. Darker versions have a more caramel-like taste and can be poured directly on pancakes or waffles as a substitute for maple syrup.
Agave nectar will not crystallize, is stable even at different temperatures, and has a shelf life of approximately two years.
While agave nectar offers little in the way a substantive nutrition, a teaspoon does deliver around 17 grams of vitamin C or 20 percent of the recommended daily value.
For people who make an effort to eat naturally, agave nectar can be an attractive option if it is not refined and free from additives. It is important to check labels as some that are commercially processed may contain preservatives and artificial colorings. Always look for brands that are labeled "100% organic" and have been certified by an agency authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Rippe, J. and Angelopoulos, T. Sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup, and fructose, their metabolism and potential health effects: what do we really know? Adv Nutrition. 2013;4(2):236-45. DOI: 10.3845/an.112.002824.
For most people, power outages are merely inconvenient. But if you are oxygen-dependent via nasal cannula, non-invasive or mechanical ventilation due to COPD or another chronic illness, and you rely on electricity to power your oxygen supply, a power outage can actually be life-threatening.
To guard against that possibility, you should create an emergency response plan so that you'll be better prepared in case of an unexpected loss of power. Here are some helpful oxygen emergency tips to guide you.
Make sure your power company, the local authorities, and your oxygen supply company understand your situation. That way, if there's an emergency, you may get help sooner. Specifically, you should:
Inform your power company that you are oxygen-dependent. Many companies offer oxygen-dependent patients priority service or even a generator when their power goes out. Find out what steps you need to take to get this type of service, and then make arrangements for the service before a power outage threatens.
Collaborate with your oxygen supply company. Ask them to help you determine exactly how much oxygen you will need in case of an emergency power outage. This is particularly important if your home is hard to reach when roads are bad and delivery is impossible. Your oxygen supply company may even provide you with one or more compressed oxygen cylinders to keep on hand for use during an emergency. Make sure you ask them to label the cylinders so you know how many minutes of oxygen are available in each.
Contact your local police and fire departments to let them know that you are oxygen-dependent. If your own emergency plan fails, you may be able to use them as a backup power source.
Even if the power grid rarely fails in your area, you may want to consider taking some additional steps that could protect your health in the event of that unlikely power outage:
Talk to your doctor about reducing your oxygen flow rate during an emergency. This may help buy you some time and extend the life of your oxygen supply.
Consider installing your own emergency generator, especially if you live in a remote location. It may be a bit costly, but the safety and security it will provide are priceless.
Organize a support team whom you can call in case of an emergency. This may include friends, neighbors, co-workers, church members, or other people who live in close proximity to you who are willing to lend a hand.
Being prepared in case of an emergency is vital to COPD patients who must use supplemental oxygen. Learn more about oxygen therapy and recommended oxygen safety tips.
Kailes, June Isaacson. Emergency Safety Tips for People Who Use Electricity and Battery-Dependent Devices. 2006. Published and distributed by the Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center and June Isaacson Kailes, Disability Policy Consultant.