Blue Agave Nectar Health Benefits
Blue agave nectar, also known as agave syrup, is a natural sweetener made from the agave plants that are mainly found in Southern Mexico. Agave plants are similar in appearance to a cactus. Agave is similar in color and texture to honey. Blue agave nectar has gained much popularity in recent years because of its health benefits.
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Skin Benefits
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Blue agave nectar was used by Aztec Indians in Mexico for hundreds of years as a folk remedy to cure many types of skin conditions and wounds. Blue agave nectar is still used to help alleviate skin conditions today and may help combat pus-producing bacteria when applied to the skin.
Stomach Benefits
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Blue agave nectar may also help protect your body against bacteria in the intestines, giving it gastrointestinal health benefits.
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Colon Benefits
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Compounds derived from the blue agave plant may have benefits as a new way to deliver drugs to the colon. These compounds, called fructans, can help successfully carry drugs that treat many types of colon diseases, such as colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Crohn's disease.
Glycemic Index
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One of the major health benefits of blue agave nectar as a sweetener is its low glycemic index. Many modern sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup have a high glycemic index and glycemic load, both of which are used to measure the impact of certain foods on your blood glucose levels. The problem with foods with a high glycemic index is they can increase your blood glucose levels rapidly and lead to the release of insulin in your body. Too much insulin can lead to insulin resistance in your body, which can make you more susceptible to conditions such as type II diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. Blue agave nectar has a low glycemic profile compared with other sweeteners and therefore does not lead to rapid increases in blood sugar levels like other sweeteners do. The sweetness in blue agave nectar comes from a complex carbohydrate called inulin, which is a natural sugar found in many types of fruits and vegetables. Blue agave nectar has many health-conscious proponents because of its favorable glycemic profile.
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