Agave Nectar

Marketed as natural, agave nectar packs up to 90% fructose—30% more than high-fructose corn syrup, which averages 55% fructose. This extreme concentration places a heavy metabolic burden on the liver, promoting visceral fat accumulation and insulin resistance, as shown in a 2020 human trial linking agave to a 15% rise in triglycerides. Although #3 High-Fructose Corn Syrup is more widespread, agave's deceptive health halo makes it a uniquely insidious choice for consumers seeking a low-glycemic option.