OK, I am on a gluten-free diet and really trying to decide what the best choice is of the two.
Agave nectar only has a glycemic index of 32
Stevia comes in so many forms, and there is a lot of controversy over it right now; many are saying you should only use the leaves and not powder or liquid forms.
I am curious what your opinions are regarding the two and which you prefer, and why?
Posted by djf2005 (Member # 11449) on :
agave anyday
Posted by chamade (Member # 11472) on :
What's the controversy around Stevia?
I have been using it in powder form for a while now and haven't had any problems. It also has a glycemic index of 0.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I think it depends on what you're using it for.
I buy agave to use on pancakes .... my kids like it better than maple syrup, so they end up using it all! It's good right out of the bottle.
Powdered stevia would be good to carry around to put in tea, etc.
Posted by bejoy (Member # 11129) on :
Both are gluten free. Stevia is best for candida diets. Agave tastes better, and is more satisfying as a sugar or syrup substitute. I'm not familiar with the Stevia controversy either. I use both. Sweets to the sweet. Posted by Tif (Member # 12701) on :
There was something on the news here recently in regards to some controversy. I found this under the Center for Science of Public Interest:
Stevia: Not Ready For Prime Time
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Three petitions seeking approval of stevia or stevioside as a food additive have been submitted to FDA since 1989 from
(1) a stevia importer in Texas; (2) the American Herbal Products Association (AHPA), a trade association; and (3) the Thomas J. Lipton Company. All three petitions were, in effect, rejected because of inadequate data on the safety of stevia and stevioside.
Cargill and Coca-Cola have developed a purified extract of stevia called Truvia. In May 2008, Cargill submitted for publication in the scientific journal Food and Chemical Toxicology a series of studies and reviews which the companies believe establishes the safety of Truvia.
CSPI is reviewing this literature now, as is the Food and Drug Administration.
The FDA has not posted on their Web site any of the documentation from the three petitions. However, the full text of the petition by the AHPA, dated October 21, 1991, is available at an alternative medicine website.
The Scientific Committee on Food for the European Commission concluded that ``there are no satisfactory data to support the safe use of these products [stevia plants and leaves],'' in a five-page opinion dated June 17, 1999. http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/dg24/health/sc/scf/out36_en.pdf (requires Adobe Reader plug-in)
The Committee also reiterated ``its earlier opinion that the substance [stevioside] is not acceptable as a sweetener on the presently available data,'' in a seven-page opinion
The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food rejected an application for use of stevia as a sweetener in herbal teas because ``the applicant had not provided all of the information necessary to enable an assessment to be made,''
in a three-paragraph statement dated September 24, 1998. The Committee also agreed with concerns raised about the inadequacy of the data on the safety of stevia. http://www.maff.gov.uk/food/novel/980924.htm
World Health Organization
The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) reviewed stevioside in 1998, but could not quantify an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) because of inadequate data on the composition and safety of stevioside.
The Committee recommended that further studies be done on the metabolism of stevioside in humans and on the potential genetic effects of steviol (a metabolite of stevioside).
The text of their review, published in JECFA Monograph Series 42, is not available on the Internet. A summary table showing no ADI allocated for stevioside is dated June 1998. http://www.who.int/pcs/jecfa/summary_51.htm Posted by chamade (Member # 11472) on :
Riiight...this from the same agencies who approved aspartame and MSG as food additives. The only problem with stevia is that it is not marketed by the big multinationals - otherwise FDA and company would have fast-tracked its approval.
Posted by sizzled (Member # 1357) on :
I use both.
Stevia has been used in Japan for over 20 years, I believe.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by chamade: Riiight...this from the same agencies who approved aspartame and MSG as food additives. The only problem with stevia is that it is not marketed by the big multinationals - otherwise FDA and company would have fast-tracked its approval.
Exactly. It's all about the $$$$$$$$$$$$$
Stevia is best for the anti-yeast/candida diet. Agave is 90% fructose.
Posted by luvs2ride (Member # 8090) on :
Hogwash on the controversy. Stevia is an herb that is ground up. Not made in a lab therefore can't be patented.
I use both as sweeteners.
Luvs
Posted by jocus20 (Member # 11576) on :
agave probably tastes better but if u have candida then it still has a good amount of sugar and you shouldnt use it. I never heard anything bad about stevia. I use it all the time.
Posted by Tif (Member # 12701) on :
OK, well if you all use Stevia, I will give it a try. I am just tired of NOTHING sweet.....
I have both, and have started using the light colored agave nectar a couple of times a week, but due to yeast issues I use it sparingly.
However, with such a low glycemic index, it is safe for those of us who also have adrenal issues (of course Stevia is too).
Posted by radfaraf (Member # 11909) on :
Stevia is amazing and as far as I'm concerned the only reason the FDA isn't approving it, is that nobody can make big money off of patenting it.
Posted by bejoy (Member # 11129) on :
I'm smelling a payoff by the Nutrasweet/ Aspartame company to prevent FDA approval.
Posted by bugabooboo (Member # 7383) on :
Totally agree with above.
As you all probably know, the Feds have been in "cahoots" with big money forever.
Why don't more people acknowledge Lyme Disease?????? I know this board has been there. Tourism=BIG industry. How about the threat of making supplements prescription required?
I love Stevia. Because of it, I can have desserts!!! (Big time Candida). It took some getting used to but now that I am, it's great. You'd be surprised what you can use it in.
Anyway, my 2 cents!
Bug
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by bejoy: I'm smelling a payoff by the Nutrasweet/ Aspartame company to prevent FDA approval.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Mad]](mad.gif)