2.27.2012

Agave, Coconut Water & Blowing Smoke

Agave syrup
Coconut Water
(this years rave)
(and what you didn't know was in the fine print)
.....................


Agave syrup is better than sugar
Try using agave instead of sugar
Agave is natural
Agave is not processed
Agave here, agave there
__
Coconut water has all those nutrients
Coconut water has potassium/magnesium
Coconut water filled with electrolytes
Coconut water better than normal water
Drink Coconut water
__

Have you heard these before?

I sure did, it was not until
I stumbled upon a few articles
on these products that I then
realized that not all of them were
really what they said they were.
Scary.

Some Truth:

Agave: 
most commercially available agave is converted into fructose-rich syrup using genetically modified enzymes and a chemically intensive process involving caustic acids, clarifiers, and filtration chemicals. Here is a partial list of the chemicals many producers use:
  • Activated charcoal
  • Cationic and ionic resins
  • Sulfuric and/or hydrofluoric acid
  • Dicalite
  • Clarimex
  • Inulin enzymes

Agave’s fructose content can range from 55% up to 90%, depending on the processing method used. Agave nectar with 55% fructose is about the same as high fructose corn syrup so there would be no benefit in agave at 55% fructose over sugar.

Coconut water:

Most brands contain either pasteurized or micro filtered coconut water. Pasteurized coconut water is heated, which causes changes in taste and bioactivity, while micro filtered water although not heated, also lacks in original taste and sometimes contains added flavoring to compensate.


The other two major brands(coconut water) tested had only 18 and 59 percent the "promised" levels of sodium. Sodium -- a common electrolyte -- is a key feature in sports drinks, as it can be lost through sweat.

_______________________

After reading these facts

I then realized that we cannot take info

at face value.

I started to search for products

that did not process the Agave nectar

in facilities with the chemicals

and I looked for a coconut water

that was "raw" and not heated.

_________________

What I found to be.....


☑ The best Agave: Madhave Agave in light

or raw 
(http://www.madhavasweeteners.com/organic-agave-nectar/organic-agave-nectar/)


☑ The best Coconut water: Harmless Harvest
(http://www.harmlesscoconut.com/Harmless_Coconut/factsclarity.html)


I hope this was help to someone

because I know this info was for me.




My sources:

http://www.crossfitinvictus.com/coaches/a-closer-look-at-agave-nectar/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/04/coconut-water-not-the-mag_n_918135.html?ir=Food

http://cgsfoods.com/site/?p=116

http://www.ecokaren.com/2010/05/agave-is-no-better-than-sugar/





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