Maple Syrup or Agave Syrup: Which is Healthier?

The question of whether maple syrup or agave syrup is healthier is often asked by people who are looking for a sugar alternative. A quick nutritional check provides a good basis for decision-making.

Maple syrup or agave syrup: These ingredients are in it

If you like it sweet, but would like to do without the classic table sugar, you can also use various sugar alternatives such as agave syrup or maple syrup. The question arises as to which of the two is healthier.

• When asked how healthy agave syrup is, you will find that it has a higher proportion of fructose compared to table sugar. This means that the blood sugar level rises slowly and there are no food cravings.
• Agave syrup or agave syrup is also an ideal alternative for a vegan diet . In addition, agave syrup has more minerals, trace elements and secondary plant substances than table sugar.
• However, the high fructose content can also be a disadvantage: many people do not tolerate fructose very well (fructose intolerance). In addition, the proportion of minerals is so low that you would have to drink liters of agave syrup to take advantage of it.
• The consistency of the agave syrup means that you can use it particularly well to sweeten smoothies, iced tea or dishes containing yoghurt.
• Maple syrup has a stronger influence on blood sugar levels compared to agave syrup. Even if this is still lower than that of table sugar, you should not underestimate it.
• If you would like to sweeten muesli, yoghurt, pancakes or waffles with a light and low-calorie alternative, maple syrup is ideal.

Maple syrup and agave syrup: The environmental aspect

Both sugar alternatives have their advantages and disadvantages. In principle, however, the quantity should always be kept in mind: after all, it is a matter of sweeteners.

• If you take a look at the production, you quickly realize that agave syrup is not convincing when it comes to sustainability. The sweet juice is obtained from Mexican agaves. If the demand for agave syrup increases, the cultivation of monoculture agaves is also encouraged. In many cases, this crowds out other plants and the working conditions are often not good.
• Maple syrup is made from the sap of the sugar maple tree. Depending on the harvest time, the flavor of the syrup also changes from mild to very strong and spicy.
• Maple syrup is traditionally made in Canada, but there are also many production sites in China. The transport routes are also very long for agave syrup. This means that even the maple syrup cannot convince in an ecological sense.
• For example, honey from regional cultivation is a more environmentally friendly alternative to sugar . In this way you avoid long transport routes being required for the product.