Sweeteners are a great ingredient in cooking dishes or baking pastries. Unless you are the type of person who likes his coffee black, you might prefer having small scoops of sugar in your coffee every morning. But too much sugar may not be a good thing, especially if you have health conditions such as obesity, hypertension, type II diabetes.

For people struggling to manage their glucose levels, having less sugar in their diet is a must. This can be such a pain because sugar is what creates a certain tasteful flavor in dishes. Is there any way one can eat sweet foods without sacrificing his health?

Yes, there is. Over the last few years, the agave nectar has been introduced into the public as a better option than using traditional sugar. It is a much favorable choice because the agave nectar glycemic index is lower than standard sugar. Instead of using high fructose corn syrup or honey, you can use agave nectar to sweeten your foods.

What is agave nectar, anyway? This nectar comes from a plant called agave which is mainly harvested in Mexico. Agave plants look like cactus except that the texture resembles that of honey.

Its low glycemic index isn’t the only health benefit that you can get from agave plants. This nectar has also been used by Mexican tribesmen as a potent cure for wounds and other skin diseases.

Modern studies have found out that agave nectar has important chemicals that can carry drugs needed in treating colon disorders such as colitis. Scientists are still doing extensive research to maximize the potential of agave nectar in dealing with other diseases.

When baking pastries, make sure that you don’t alter the measurement of the required sugar in the recipe. Simply add the same amount of agave nectar and put a little more flour or cornstarch which is about one fourth cup. This will create a balance needed to maintain the same texture and mix.

You may also check the internet for specific recipes aimed at using agave nectar as the main sweetener. This will be a great addition to your cooking skills, and will give you healthy advantages in your diet.