09 August 2007

A Very Short Rant

I really don't enjoy ranting at all, but sometimes it just must be done. There's an emerging trend regarding agave nectar that really concerns me -- people referring to it as "sugar-free" or referring to foods containing it as "sugar-free." It's simply not true, and could potentially harm people who think they can use a bunch of it because someone said it's "sugar-free."

Mind you, people with health issues like diabetes should be reading labels and doing their own research when it comes to putting things into their bodies. And, a writer is not responsible for those folks not doing their own homework. However, it is irresponsible for a writer not to do his or her homework and to tout agave nectar as "sugar-free" because it's not.

According to Dr. Cheryl Mitchell, who published "The Use of Nutritive Sweeteners in Organic Food Processing Operations," agave nectar comprises 70% fructose and 30% glucose, two naturally occurring sugars. Dr. Mitchell's bio reads: "Dr. Cheryl Mitchell is recognized as a world authority on sweeteners, rice processing, and the extraction and metabolism of inulin."

In this excerpt, Dr. Mitchell describes the metabolic differences between fructose and glucose:



That said, I'm really happy that folks are discovering how wonderful agave nectar is. It just would be beneficial to their readers to understand the bigger dietary picture.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have found your blog via Serious Eats. I always appreciate it when you comment on my silly "talk" posts :)! Plan to read your archives!

Deb Schiff said...

Thanks, JEP! Glad you came to visit. I always enjoy your posts on Serious Eats.

I also have another blog at http://hereandthere123.blogspot.com, which has recipes as well, but not as focused on desserts/baking/recipe substitutions.

Come again soon!

Anonymous said...

hi Deb:

I posted a response to your comment and swapped the title. If there's anything you'd like to add, please feel free to post a follow-up.

Appreciate the enlightenment! And I do love that delicious agave syrup. What a boon to those of you who are on sugar-restrictive diets!

In moderation, of course...

: )

david

Deb Schiff said...

Thanks so much, David. I appreciate your taking the time to visit and to make the slight alterations to your post on the ice cream. Your blog has always inspired me and kept me very amused.