Agave syrup contains a high concentration of fructose, and fructose is a common irritant for people who are on a low FODMAP diet. FODMAP stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols, the chemical names of five naturally occurring sugars that aren’t easily absorbed by your system.
For people with digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), there’s general dietary advice that recommends staying away from high FODMAP foods, and agave falls under the category of monosaccharide. “If your body is sensitive to excess fructose, it can cause excess problems to your bowels,” shared Portland, Oregon-based registered dietitian Niki Strealy (via U.S. News & World Report).
If you’re thinking about other natural alternatives like honey and corn syrup that won’t make you run to the bathroom in a poop emergency, think again. Honey and corn syrup also contain a high level of fructose, so it’s best that you either limit or avoid these too. Now, back to the question that might be on your mind: Is agave all that better than regular sugar?