Bad news about agave?

[goingrawchelle]

I recently heard raw agave can do something bad to your arteries. I haven't the details other than that. Can anyone help clarify the pros and cons of agave use other than the low glycemic index? Thanks.

[RawYorkCity]

Agave seems to be a controversial item among raw foodies. I cannot imagine it's any worse for you than the SAD, but what do I know. Natalia Rose mentions in her book that agave is easy to digest and combines well with all foods besides fresh fruit.

[Colorawdo girl]

I love raw agave and have had super success with it. Do what floats your banana boat.


LIFE IS SO VERY SWEET!

[selina_k]

I agree with Colorado Girl in the "do whatever" sense.

Why I choose not to use agave 1) Not raw! So what's the point? No different than corn syrup. 2.) There is a Mexican bat that is facing extinction because its only food is wild agave as the demand increases it's food source is dissapearing. I don't need raw brownies that bad, kwim? Anyway, I would rather irritate a bee than starve a bat if it came down to a choice.

However, I say this in all sincerity I don't have a problem with anyone else deciding that agave is for them. I bought a silk blouse the other day. (NOT vegan.)

[Ilse W.]

1) Not raw! So what's the point?

Actually, you can get RAW agave syrup, it just costs a whole lot more.:)

[shine72]

I agree with Colorado Girl in the "do whatever" sense.

Why I choose not to use agave 1) Not raw! So what's the point? No different than corn syrup. 2.) There is a Mexican bat that is facing extinction because its only food is wild agave as the demand increases it's food source is dissapearing. I don't need raw brownies that bad, kwim? Anyway, I would rather irritate a bee than starve a bat if it came down to a choice.

However, I say this in all sincerity I don't have a problem with anyone else deciding that agave is for them. I bought a silk blouse the other day. (NOT vegan.)

About the brownies, if you make RP's brownies from right here on this site, they call for dates, not agave. :) Just thought I'd let you know in case you didn't know already. :D

[Funkalicious]

Actually, you can get RAW agave syrup, it just costs a whole lot more.:)

I got a case of agave(raw- processed under 115 degree temp) from Amazon for $3.50 a bottle. The whole case 12 bottles 17oz was $24.

[Stina]

Why I eat honey instead of agave which gives the vegans a hissy fit......... I know the farmers, I know it's local, I know the bee keepers are looking out for the bees best interest to keep them healthy in dire times for bees; it's an ancient food.

[rawstrength]

Why I eat honey instead of agave which gives the vegans a hissy fit......... I know the farmers, I know it's local, I know the bee keepers are looking out for the bees best interest to keep them healthy in dire times for bees; it's an ancient food.

I'm with you, Stina! I love honey. And this summer I am learning bee-keeping. I have bee hives on my college campus in the garden :) . Cave paintings in Spain from 6000 BC show people taking honey from bee hives. All ancient civilizations figured out how to keep bees. It's extraordinary.

And if vegans really wanted to avoid products made with "cruel beekeeping" they would not want to eat any of the following foods, which are all pollinated almost exclusively by honey bees.

Okra, Kiwifruit, Onion, Celery, Carambola, Beet, Rapeseed, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Brussels sprouts, Chinese cabbage, Turnip, Mustard, Caraway, Safflower, Chestnut, Watermelon,
Tangerine, Tangelo, Coffea, Crownvetch, Hazelnut, Cantaloupe, Cucumber, Squash (plant), Quince, Carrot, Buckwheat, Strawberry, Soybean, Cotton, Sunflower, Walnut, Flax, Lychee, Lupine,
Macadamia, Apple, Alfalfa, Cactus, Avocado, Lima bean, Scarlet runner bean, Plum, Cherry, Apricot, Almond, Pear, Boysenberry, Raspberry, Blackberry, Redwood Sequoia, Tomato, Eggplant,
Clover (not all species), White clover, Alsike clover, Crimson clover, Red clover, Arrowleaf clover, Blueberry, Alfalfa, Southeastern blueberry, Broad bean, Vetch and Grape. :D

[Colorawdo girl]

I love and eat my hunny sunny yummy gooey-ness.

[T-Bird]

That's a wee bit ridiculous, RawStrength,

The bees were just living their lives when they pollinated those....they weren't in mini-buzzing-chain gangs.

I have always considered myself vegan, although I do buy and use YS organic raw honey.

but I certainly wouldn't ridicule those who omit honey due to a moral consideration.

[shine72]

Just to let ya'll know also, Amazon is stopping their auto-ships of the Madhava. My friend who runs a health food store said Madhava is stopping doing the raw agave, so that may be why. I had ordered 3 of the 2-pack of 46. oz./bottle per month on the auto-ship, now I'm having to get mine elsewhere as well. :)