Is Agave Nectar Safe?

Agave nectar is in the news lately. Sources are saying that the once highly regarded sweetener for it's ability to lower the glycemic index and be safe for diabetics is now in serious jeopardy. So, I set about reading up on the controversy and found a few points I'd like to highlight.

You can't just go to an agave plant and squeeze nectar out of it like you can go to a beehive and retrieve honey. It does have to be processed (and most honey is processed, by the way, even though it is not required). Because a refinery process is necessary, heat is used to create the syrup found on the shelves of most grocery stores. The dark amber color is said to come from burning the sugar so it's certainly not better (I mean if that information is correct).

The sugars, due to the refinery process, in agave nectar are said to create the following.

"They are also using caustic acids, clarifiers, filtration chemicals and so forth in the conversion of agave starches into highly refined fructose inulin that is even higher in fructose content than high fructose corn syrup", says Mr. Bianchi. Inulin is a chain of chemically refined fibers and sugars linked together, and, this bears repeating, high fructose inulin has more concentrated sugar than high fructose corn syrup!"

Following is the link associated with this quote.

http://www.naturalnews.com/024892_fructose_food_health.html

Here is another article I found that I think is worth reading. This one has more to do with the claims of raw agave (not possible unless it's Tequila, sorry.) The author lists the ways it can harm your health in addition to the way it is processed. Please read and make your decision.

http://www.living-foods.com/articles/agave.html

I was disappointed that I could not find a host of information praising agave to the skies. Most of the word of mouth I have heard has done so. If I find something, I will share it and if YOU know something, please post it here. Let's share information.

The bottom line remains true. Stay away from ALL sweeteners as much as you can. The best source of sugar is raw fruits and vegetables (carrots and beets contain sugar by the way). I know there are lots of delicious treats with sugar but please use them in moderation and find as close to raw and whole as you can.