Agave has become a popular sweetener gaining in popularily ever since granulated sugar & high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) were 'blamed' for the obesity epidemic.  It is promoted as being the healthy, "all natural" alternative  to sugar.  It is sweeter than sugar so you can use less and get the same sweetness.  Agave is ranked lower on the Glycemic Index Scale than sugar or honey leading many to promote it as a better alternative for those with diabetes.  So is agave the solution to our sugar addiction? Before you clear your pantry of sugar and stock up on agave nectar or syrup let's review some of the facts.  Agave is a sweetener produced primarily from the blue agave plant (the same plant that gives us tequila).  Sugar comes from sugar cane, also a plant.  Both plants have to be processed to become the products that we ultimately consume.  So unless you are sweetening your coffee with the liquid center you collected from the agave plant in your backyard, the agave syrup or nectar you find on the grocery store shelf is as "natural" as the sugar sitting close by.Agave has 60 calories per tablespoon while sugar has 46 calories per tablespoon.  But because agave is sweeter than sugar you can use less and still achieve the same level of sweetness for about the same number of calories.  So once again no real advantage to using agave over sugar when it comes to calories.Sugar is 50% fructose, 50% glucose, HFCS is 55-60% fructose, 40-45% glucose and agave is 55-90% fructose, 10-45% glucose.  The reason this is important is that even small differnces in chemical compositions can cause unexpected reactions in our bodies.Recent studies with adolescents and adults have correlated high fructose consumption with negative health effects.  Adolescents with higher abdominal fat and a high-fructose diet had more cardiovascular risk factors (high blood pressure, insulin resistance) with lower levels of cardiovascular protectors (HDL cholesterol). In studies with adults, consumption of HFCS-containing drinks resulted in higher levels of fructose in the bloodstream which can ultimately result in increased blood pressure.One of the reasons agave has gained in popularity recently is its low number on the glycemic index scale.   The glycemic index measures how much foods raise blood sugar levels and agave ranks lower than most of the other sweeteners.  This has led many to promote agave as a good choice for those with diabetes. But the American Diabetes Association groups agave with other sweeteners (table sugar, honey, brown sugar, molasses, fructose, maple sugar, and confectioner’s sugar) and warns that all should be limited in a diabetic diet.  And according to some researchers, "there are inconsistencies with the glycemic rating value and it should be used cautiously when advising those with diabetes.Based on the current information available, agave isn't any healthier than sugar, honey, HFCS or any other sweetener on the market today.Most agree that the American diet contains way too much sugar, especially in theform of sweetened beverages and processed foods.  So the next time you want to satisfy your sweet tooth why not reach for an apple, orange or any other piece of whole fruit, its natural, high in fiber & nutrients and even lower on the glycemic index than agave.