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Wellness Essentials: Blue
Agave
Blue Agave
İYoung Living Essential Oils
Blue Agave. Noun: A
species of the agave plant that grows natively in Mexico and is cultivated
for its nectar.
 Mysterious,
magnificent, memorable - Mexico inspires many words that describe its
people, plants, and culture. With a history rich in spices and
flavors, Mexico's plants add much to our sense of taste. The ancient
Mesoamericans knew about the aromatic, savory, and medicinal properties of
plants. One plant in particular, the agave, was worshiped as a goddess
of health.
Agave is a desert cactus that
has long been cultivated in the hilly, semi-arid soils of Mexico. The
Aztecs believed that the sweet, sticky juice form the cactus purified the
body and soul. When the Spaniards arrived, they took the juice from
the agave and allowed it to ferment. This early drink evolved to the
drink know as tequila.
For thousands of years agave
has been a highly favored food source, and its potential is still being
unlocked by modern food science. As the season of holiday baking
unfolds, consider flavoring foods with this natural sweetener for its
compelling health benefits. With its low glycemic index (the ratio
used to measure the ability of a carbohydrate to raise blood sugar levels),
Young Living's Blue Agave is superior as a substitute for sugar in any
recipe.
Foods with a low glycemic
index are absorbed more slowly, so there are fewer ups and downs in the
production of insulin. This slow absorption is very important for
maintaining normal blood sugar levels. Young Living's organic Blue
Agave (Agave tequilana Weber) has a glycemic index of 11, whereas the
regular agave (Angustifolia salmaiana) has a glycemic index of 39.
Agave nectar is about 90
percent fructose, but this is fructose in its natural form. This means
that agave nectar does not have to be processed and consequently does not
contain any processing chemicals. Because of the high proportion of
fructose, agave nectar is 42 percent sweeter than sucrose but has the same
caloric value. So a smaller amount of agave will add the same
sweetness to foods or beverages but with fewer calories than sucrose.
Blue Agave not only sweetens
but also enhances the flavors of food products, especially fruit flavors,
which makes it particularly useful for fruit drinks, desserts, and
smoothies. Add a little sweetness to any celebration by including Blue
Agave in you favorite food and drink recipes throughout the year.
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Editor's Note: This article is reprinted with permission of Young Living,
Lehi, UT 84043 U.S.A.
Shopping List:
Blue Agave - Item Code #3224
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