The use of carob syrup from Cyprus; description. Medicinal properties of flour

In Europe and the United States, carob syrup has become widespread in cooking, dietary nutrition, medical treatment, cosmetics, chemical and nutritional supplements. In cooking, such a syrup, which is not difficult to buy, is added to pastries, sweets, drinks, and it is also used as a sweet sauce for various desserts.

In addition, it is part of many different medicinal syrups for manifestations of bronchitis, coughs and colds. So, what are the benefits of carob syrup? Let's find out.

What is carob syrup?

The carob tree is also known to many as the Tsaregrad pod, the carob, the sweet horn, in the scientific community it is called Ceratonia siliqua. Basically, such a syrup is created in Cyprus and then exported to various countries of the world.

Having decided to buy syrup, you should know that it is made from a plant of the legume family, which at the peak of its life can reach a height of 10-15 meters. It is distinguished by a fairly wide crown, dense feather-like leaves. The carob tree bears large pods, which in their appearance are similar to a horn.

The total length of the pods ranges from 10 to 25 centimeters, the thickness is 5-10 millimeters, and the width is 2-4 centimeters. Inside a ripe fruit there may be 5-17 grains. In addition to seeds, carob beans have juicy pulp, inside which is up to 50% sugar - mainly sucrose, fructose and glucose.

What is made from carob?

Carob beans have a variety of properties, so their use is used in almost any field. Flour is made from carob beans, it is widely used in cooking, in addition, gum is created from them, which goes to the needs of the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetic industries.

In particular, this gum is part of most dairy curds, as well as cosmetology products - anti-wrinkle creams, gels, serums. Syrup is also made from the fruits of the carob tree.

The benefits of syrup

Every person who wants to buy carob syrup should know its use and the properties that it has. This product is tonic and immunomodulatory. It has been known since ancient times for its nutritional value, as well as many beneficial properties. This product contains such useful components as:

• minerals and trace elements;
• all B vitamins;
• organic acids;
• tannins;
• starch;
• protein;
• pectin;
• natural sugar.

In fact, carob syrup is a natural substitute for chocolate, distinguished by its sweet taste and its specific smell. The syrup is obtained by evaporating finely chopped fruits together with water. Sugar is not added to it, so the use of syrup is allowed for diabetics, it can also be used in dietary nutrition. The syrup contains three times more calcium than milk. This sweet substance has practically no contraindications.

The use of syrup in cooking

The syrup has a variety of properties, so it is also used in cooking. In most countries, especially the Mediterranean, it is practiced to add this product to a variety of dishes. It is used to pour over pancakes, pancakes, ice cream, and is also used as a dough ingredient in baked goods. Also, syrup can be added simply to tea, coffee, water and other drinks.

Healing properties of syrup

Carob syrup has found its application both in folk and official medicine. It can be used to remove toxins from the body, for nervous disorders, insomnia, colds, sleep disorders, diarrhea, poisoning and for weight loss. The presence of zinc and calcium in the syrup makes it simply indispensable for bones and teeth. The syrup can also be used for colds, sore throats and coughs. Carob syrup is an ingredient in many medicines.

Such a remedy is extremely effective during anemia, shortness of breath, it is also able to prevent heart palpitations, it can reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. Due to the presence of a large number of vitamins and trace elements, carob syrup is especially useful for children and pregnant women.

Syrup harm

The product is capable of causing individual intolerance, especially in those people who react sharply to the presence of fructose in dishes. Carob syrup should be used with caution. Today, it has been shown to raise blood sugar levels after consumption in the same way and may have an effect on insulin secretion, as well as cheaper syrups based on fructose. The process is slower than with sucrose, but still, diabetics, as well as people sensitive to fluctuations in blood sugar levels, are advised to refrain from eating carob products.

Often, against the background of the consumption of drinks from carob, a reaction similar to lactose intolerance appears. A person gets the strongest laxative effect from one cup of the drink with milk, but this does not mean that he has an allergy. It's just that milk lactose and carob fructose together are quite poorly absorbed, causing flatulence, gas formation, and even diarrhea in some cases. Carob syrup, used to lose weight, is by no means a panacea, it is high in calories, unlike chemical sweeteners.

Those using carob recipes should keep track of their calorie intake, and make sure that the amount of simple carbohydrates in each meal is not too high. In particular, it does not make much sense to consume syrup if you are on a diet containing about 1 kg of fruit per day. And, of course, switching from coffee and cocoa to carob can cause a temporary slowdown in the nervous system, associated with caffeine withdrawal, and not with the action of carob.

Contraindications for use

Oddly enough, but such a product has its own contraindications. The syrup has rather delicate characteristics that are not capable of harming the body. Of course, you should regulate the use and adhere to a certain dosage.

It is also not superfluous to consult a doctor first to avoid allergic reactions that occur as a result of individual intolerance. The main positive feature of the product is the almost complete absence of contraindications for use, which distinguishes it from most other medicines from fruits and plants.

Syrup use

Carob syrup can be used as a dietary supplement for home health and wellness. For the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, diarrhea, to remove toxins and toxins from the body, it is necessary to take:

• adults 1 tablespoon of syrup 4-5 times a day half an hour before meals;
• children 2-5 years old - 1 teaspoon per day;
• children 5 to 12 years old - 1 teaspoon 3 times a day.

From SARS, sore throats, colds, coughs, you need to take 1 tablespoon of carob syrup diluted in one glass of hot water (+ 60 degrees) 5-6 times a day.

In case of insomnia, neurological headaches, nervous disorders, this remedy should be taken orally up to 5-6 times a day, 1 tablespoon before meals. The course of taking the syrup is 3 months, it is recommended to repeat it after 2 weeks.

As mentioned earlier, such a syrup is obtained by boiling its pods without the use of sugar. Therefore, people who suffer from diabetes can use this remedy, but in small quantities - from 1/2 to 1 teaspoon 1-2 times a day.

To reduce weight, 1 tablespoon of carob syrup is diluted in one glass of water at room temperature, with the addition of lemon juice. The components are mixed, and the finished drink can be consumed. It is recommended to drink it 5-15 minutes before meals (lunch and dinner). After 2 weeks, you can add another dose - before breakfast.

Carob syrup is a healthy product that is recommended for anyone to use. If you want to stay healthy for many years, replace sugar with it and add it to baking instead of cocoa. During weight loss, it is not enough to take only carob syrup, although it helps to reduce weight. It is also necessary to normalize nutrition and add at least light physical activity to your daily schedule.

Various concentrates are made from carob fruits - syrup, carob powder, gum. These products are useful for women, men, young children, they are used in medicine. Carob syrup is not only healing, but also delicious, it is added to sweets and other confectionery.

Chemical composition and nutritional value

Pekmez or carob syrup is a product better known in Turkey and Cyprus, where this plant grows. For Russians, this is exotic, which attracts, but also causes concern. The syrup is made from the juice of the carob fruit. It is slowly simmered on fire, boiling until excess moisture evaporates. In Turkey, they love it very much, they use it for the treatment of young children, first of all medicines.

The healing properties of the syrup are explained by its composition:

• fibrin and lignin - favorably affect the intestinal microflora, increasing the number of lactobacilli;
• pectin - reduces the level of "bad" cholesterol in the blood, plays the role of a coagulant and antioxidant, removes harmful substances from the body;
• tannins - help cure diarrhea and helminthic infestations;
• galactomannans - reduce the content of the ghrelin peptide, which is responsible for the feeling of hunger;
• vitamins (A, B1, B2, B9, D);
• minerals (Ca, K, Cu, Na, Zn, Mg, Mn, Fe, P).

A large amount of vitamin D makes the syrup useful for the prevention of rickets in children. Of the minerals in the product, there is a lot of calcium, which is necessary for both children and adults. With brittle bones, frequent fractures and osteoporosis, during intensive growth, calcium is needed in large quantities.

Interestingly, during the growing process, carob is not subjected to chemical treatment from pests, according to manufacturers. Therefore, the syrup does not contain toxic substances hazardous to health.

The high level of antioxidants in its composition slows down the aging process, removes free radicals, and strengthens the immune system.

What diseases does carob syrup help with?

The syrup cleanses and soothes well. For insomnia or problems with constipation, they drink it at night. This helps to solve two problems at once - returns sleep, and improves digestion. The syrup is drunk in its pure form (1 tsp per reception) or diluted in water. The amount of water depends on taste preferences - you can take 100 or 200 ml, it does not play a special role.

Effective syrup for shortness of breath, palpitations, high blood pressure, anemia. It is recommended to use it to prevent the development of cancerous tumors.

The use of syrup is beneficial for a large number of ailments:

• with impaired metabolism;
• chronic constipation;
• with menopause;
• colds and viral diseases;
• with stones in the kidneys and bladder;
• depression;
• with lung diseases;
• oncology;
• with dysbacteriosis;
• impotence;
• with inflammation of the oral mucosa;
• migraine;
• with vegetative-vascular dystonia.

For smokers, carob syrup will help cure chronic bronchitis. Thanks to the antioxidants that make up the product, it prolongs youth.

Detailed instructions for use

How to take the syrup depends on the ailment that needs to be eliminated. To cleanse the body of toxins, improve the condition with diarrhea and nausea, they drink it 1 tbsp. l. before meals, 3 or 4 times a day. Small children from 2 to 6 years old are given 1 teaspoon each, from 6 to 12 years old, 1 teaspoon each. 3 times a day.

For colds, coughs, sore throats, acute respiratory viral diseases, the syrup is diluted in 1 tbsp. hot water (50 °C), and consumed up to 6 times a day before meals.

Severe headache, irritability, anxiety and poor sleep are treated by using 5-6 tbsp. l. syrup per day, for 2 or 3 months. Then they take a break for 3 weeks, and if necessary, repeat the course. Instructions for use are not strict guidelines, a slight excess of the dose will not cause negative consequences if there are no contraindications for use.

Use in traditional medicine

In countries where the carob tree grows, syrup from the pods is used in folk medicine. It is given even to infants up to a year old with indigestion and colic. Syrup is drunk to relieve headaches, increase immunity, in case of poisoning, problems with the gastrointestinal tract, disorders of the nervous system.

Nature never ceases to amaze humanity. In the legume family, varieties of valuable cultivated and wild plants have united. It has representatives of herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees. An interesting type of legume is the carob tree, also called ceratonia, John's bread and Tsaregradsky pod.

Biological features of the carob tree

Evergreen ceratonia, reaching a height of 10 meters, covers rocky slopes and gorges, is found in evergreen oak, juniper and pine forests of the Mediterranean. Spain, Italy, America, India, Greece are countries where the carob tree is cultivated. Cypri Levanta is supplied with the best Tsaregrad pods. They are slightly inferior to the beans collected by the Spaniards and Italians.

The mighty trunk of the tree is covered with bark of brown and dark gray shades, twisted branches and branches extend from it in all directions. A wide crown of ceratonia is formed by dense pinnate leaves. At seven-year-old trees, rapid flowering begins. Flowers with inconspicuous, fast-falling calyxes without corollas are collected in purple-red clusters.

Stony soils influenced the development of the root system of John's bread. The carob tree has roots that are strong and tenacious, with many branches in the crevices and fissures that cut through the badlands.

The tree is cultivated for its fruits, indehiscent horn-like beans, beautiful and very hard wood suitable for carpentry. Pods in the form of a horn, growing up to 30 cm long, are filled with medium-sized round seeds and juicy pulp, saturated with sugars.

Nutritional value of ceratonia beans

Carob is saturated with natural sugars, proteins, minerals, vitamins, fats and fibers. The benefit of fibers is that they slowly convert sugars during digestion. Pods containing up to 50% sugars are a source of incredible energy nutrition (315 kcal per 100 g).

The saturation of sweet beans with proteins is such that when cereals are mixed with carob flour, nutrient mixtures are obtained. Such products are equivalent in value to animal proteins. There is no gluten in the flour from the seeds of Tsaregradsky horns. Products from it are important for the nutrition of people suffering from celiac disease.

Fats in beans are kept to a minimum. The pods contain fatty acids that are not produced by the human body. The use of carob products allows you to replenish the reserves of linolenic and oleic acids. The composition of sweet horns is enriched with tannin, a substance from the category of powerful natural antioxidants that protect against cancer.

Benefits of ceratonia fruit

Caratonia beans are rich in fibrin, pectin and lignin. These substances, influencing in a special way on the intestinal flora, reduce the number of pathogenic microorganisms, which leads to the growth of colonies of beneficial lactobacilli. Pectin, a well-known thickener, along with a laxative effect, has a coagulating and bactericidal effect.

It prevents the appearance of tumor neoplasms of a benign and malignant nature. It is used to remove heavy metals and radioactive substances from the body. Thanks to him, the level of "bad" cholesterol falls. Pectin is involved in the formation of cell membranes, helps protect the mucous membranes lining the intestines.

From sweet beans, antitussive teas are brewed to relieve colds. Decoctions of them help reduce inflammation and heal wounds caused by gingivitis, stomatitis and pharyngitis. Lotions are made from infusions that heal inflamed eyes, and gargling of an irritated throat is carried out.

Since ancient times, the carob tree, whose properties are amazing, has been used in pharmaceuticals. Products (flour, gum and syrup) obtained from its pods have been considered excellent medicines for centuries.

Healing properties of gum

The beans of the tree are enriched with gum, a soluble fiber with an astringent effect. The fiber prevents inflammatory processes that occur on the mucous membranes. Thanks to it, digestion is facilitated, diarrhea disappears, pain in the gastrointestinal tract disappears, and the work of the stomach normalizes.

An unusually healing substance is locust bean gum. It prevents the appearance of anxiety in the stomach and effectively relieves digestive disorders. It is recommended for use in asthma, cystitis, laryngitis, as an expectorant to clear the respiratory tract.

Medicinal properties of flour

Fresh pods have a laxative effect. Flour from them is used as an antidiarrheal agent. It helps fight childhood diarrhea and gastroenteritis in infants. It heals ulcers and suppresses intestinal infections. In addition, flour is able to absorb toxins from the digestive tract.

Flour fibers have a triple action. When mixed with a liquid, they contribute to the formation of a useful colloidal gel, help to relax the intestinal walls and debug the work of the digestive tract.

Uses of the carob tree

There are white and black carob fruits. White pods are good for cooking, black - for the production of alternative chocolate, surrogate cocoa and medicines. Sweet beans are suitable for making honey, syrup and wine. They are used to make pastries, gourmet delicacies, compotes and refreshing drinks.

White and black "crane peas" are fed to livestock. Substances isolated from the bark tan the skin. The seeds are used to make parachute glue. In Israel, folk craftsmen produce expensive souvenirs from wood.

The carob tree has found application in jewelry. The resin that flowed for tens of millions of years along the trunks of trees that grew on South American lands turned into amber. In Atlantic amber, pure as a tear, an incredible number of inclusions. It is recognized as the most valuable jewelry material. The extraction of the Atlantic (Haitian or Dominican) mineral is carried out by an artisanal method. Makeshift mines have been built in the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Mexico.

Constantinople horns have an interesting application. Their seeds have become the standard for weighing precious metals and stones. The absolute uniformity of the shape and weight of the seeds made it possible to make them a unique and reliable model of trade.

Even in pagan Rome, the seeds became a kind of "weights" having the same weight - 0.189 g. Taking advantage of the unique quality of the seeds, jewelers invented an unshakable measure that allows you to determine the mass of stones and metals - carat (from the Greek keratos - "horn").

Properties and uses of gum

Locust bean gum - extracted from bean juice. The chain of this polymer includes molecules represented by residues of various monosaccharides. The powder, related to food additives and practically odorless, has a yellowish-white color.

Heating, salty and acidic environments do not destroy the properties of the thickener. The stabilizer has a high viscosity. To dissolve it, water is required, the temperature of which is not lower than 85 ° C. It turns all kinds of liquids into jelly.

As the thickener, which has been ground from carob, cools, ice crystals form at a slower rate, helping to form a structured gel. Gum helps keep cheese, yogurt and other dairy products in shape.

It is added to baked goods, sauces, frozen desserts, canned vegetables, fish and mushrooms. In addition to the food industry, the stabilizer is widely used in cosmetology and pharmaceuticals. It is added to anti-aging creams, serums, gels and medicines.

A natural additive is considered harmless to humans (with the exception of hypersensitivity to gum). The stabilizer is not able to break down in the body. It comes out unprocessed. This thickener is even added to baby food.

The use of syrup from ceratonia pod

The carob tree, or rather its pods, are used to make syrup - a product suitable for dietary nutrition, treatment, culinary products, cosmetics and chemicals. The delicacy is made by boiling finely chopped pods with water and evaporation.

Syrup is one of the ingredients of sweets, pastries, drinks, sweets, sauces served with dessert dishes. It is served with pancakes, pancakes, ice cream. It is used to sweeten water, coffee, tea and other drinks.

Useful carob syrup is added to medicines that cope with colds, coughs and bronchitis. Syrup-based preparations strengthen the immune system, treat gastrointestinal disorders.

The benefits of syrup

Delicious carob syrup has an immunomodulatory and tonic effect. It is saturated with B vitamins, minerals, tannins and natural sugars. Its composition is not deprived of organic acids, starch, pectin and proteins.

Since no sugar is added to this product, it is approved for use by diabetics. In terms of calcium content, carob syrup, the use of which is justified in dietary nutrition, exceeds milk by 3 times.

The delicacy is not inferior to chocolate in sweetness, taste and aroma, but the bitterness characteristic of cocoa and addictive tonic substances are absent in it, therefore it is recommended as a natural substitute for chocolate.

The healing power of syrup

Not only folk, but also official medicine recognizes carob syrup. Its use to obtain a variety of medicines confirms the medicinal properties of the product. With the help of treats, they get rid of toxins that clogged organs and tissues. They treat insomnia, diarrhea and colds.

The syrup relieves nervous disorders, promotes weight loss. It is taken for poisoning. Saturation with calcium and zinc helps to strengthen teeth and bones. The syrup perfectly treats coughs and sore throats.

It eliminates shortness of breath, fights anemia, prevents heart palpitations, lowers blood pressure and bad cholesterol. A syrup enriched with a vitamin-mineral complex is useful for people suffering from beriberi.

The syrup has no contraindications for use. It is used as a common food product.

Syrup for weight loss

The syrup reduces excess weight. To do this, dilute 1 tablespoon of the product and lemon juice squeezed from one slice in a glass of water. Drink a weight loss drink before lunch and dinner (5-15 minutes before). After 14 days, they begin to use it even before breakfast.

In the United States and European countries, products from the carob tree are widely used. Syrup, the use of which is not yet so widespread in our territory, is used there in cooking, dietary nutrition, treatment, cosmetic, food and chemical industries. In cooking, carob syrup, the properties of which we will discuss later, is added to pastries, sweets, it is poured into drinks, used as a sauce for dessert dishes. In addition, it is one of the active components of medicinal colds, manifestations of bronchitis. And what else are useful products that gives

Syrup

The use of this remedy, obtained from the fruits of the carob tree, is quite diverse. As already noted, first of all, it is used in cooking, as well as in official and folk medicine. Cooks in many countries, especially in the Mediterranean, practice adding syrup to various dishes. It is poured over pancakes, pancakes, ice cream, it is used as a component for pastry dough. In addition, carob syrup, which reviews are almost always positive, can be used as a health supplement for home improvement. This is practiced because the fruits of the carob tree are extremely useful and rich in substances valuable for human health.

Carob

Ceratonia siliqua is the scientific name for the tree. It has a great height (at the peak of its life it can reach 15 m), bears fruit in rather large pods resembling a horn. Inside it are seeds, which can be 10-12 pieces. They are separated from each other by a fleshy, dense partition, which is also used for human needs.

The benefits of fruits

The beans of this tree are used to make flour, which is widely used in cooking. Also, gum is prepared from the fruits of the carob tree, which is used for the needs of the food and cosmetic industries. Carob products, in particular syrup, contain
increased amount of sodium, zinc, potassium. And calcium in it is 3 times more than in milk! In addition, having a sweet taste, the syrup does not contain sugar, so it is allowed even for diabetics. However, the dose of application must be agreed with the doctor. To convey the pricelessness of this gift of nature, it is enough to say that the Jewish prophets called the fruits of the carob tree "bread." And for a long time he served as the only source of food for them. These are the amazing properties of the carob tree.

Syrup: application, useful properties

How is it used for health purposes? The syrup is high in zinc, potassium, calcium, sodium. It can be used for colds, vomiting, insomnia, diarrhea, and for weight loss. The presence of zinc and calcium in it makes it indispensable for teeth and gums. In addition, some studies confirm that the syrup has antitumor effects, especially in the lungs. All parts of the plant do not contain toxic substances, so there were no side effects from taking the syrup. These are the wonderful products that the carob tree gives.

Syrup: application, recipes

From vomiting, diarrhea, to remove toxins, adults should take 1 tbsp. l. syrup 30 minutes before meals 4-5 times a day (children from 2 to 5 years old - 1 tsp, from 5 to 12 years old - 1 tsp 3 times a day). From colds, coughs, tonsillitis and SARS - 1 tbsp. l. syrup diluted in a glass of water (60 degrees) 5-6 times a day. Headaches, insomnia are treated with a course: 5-6 tbsp. l. a day before meals (3 months), repeat after 2 weeks. For weight loss: 1 tbsp. dilute a spoonful of syrup in a glass of water, add the juice of a lemon wedge. Drink 5-15 minutes before meals (before lunch and dinner). After 2 weeks, add another dose in the morning.

Surely you have heard of agave more than once. Such a plant is known even far beyond the borders of those countries in which it grows. This is due to the fact that the agave plant is a raw material for the production of drinks such as pulque and tequila. However, this is not its only application. Now it has become very popular to replace sugar with agave syrup. It is about him that will be discussed in our article.

What is agave?

Agave - a plant (exotic), growing on the volcanic soils of Mexico. The culture blooms only once, gathering huge crowds of tourists who want to see an amazing sight. Around the world, agave is known as a raw material for the production of the famous tequila.

At the word "agave" in the imagination of everyone, beautiful exotic pictures of the tropics arise. This is exactly what agave syrup manufacturers are counting on, advertising their products as a completely harmless and at the same time useful sugar substitute.

How is the product prepared?

Agave syrup has been known for a long time. It is prepared using approximately the same technology as maple syrup. The juice is placed in containers and evaporated until it thickens to a certain consistency. The liquid should be viscous. This is agave syrup. Depending on the duration of processing, the mass may have a light yellow or dark color.

However, the production of syrup on an industrial scale is slightly different. Given the number of stages of processing that raw materials undergo, it is difficult to say whether anything useful remains in the final product. We can definitely say that we are purchasing a product with a high content of fructose.

But how useful or harmful it is depends entirely on how it was processed. In agave syrup, the fructose content is at the level of 70-90%, which is the same as in corn syrup, which has long been banned from use. A number of countries have banned its use in the manufacture of products because of its potential to lead to obesity. Let's see - what are the benefits and harms of agave syrup.

Product taste

Agave syrup is often compared to honey. This is a completely wrong approach. And there is nothing in common in their tastes. Everyone who has tried using agave syrup instead of sugar says that it has a special, unlike anything taste. Someone catches vegetable notes in it, someone creamy. And for some, the product generally resembles molasses. Like it or not, there is nothing to compare the taste of agave syrup with, since it is unique in its own way.

Modern syrups

The recipe for making syrup from the plant has been known for hundreds of years. However, it was used in those regions where agave grows. And only in the last decade the product has reached a wider range of consumers.

Beneficial features

Real agave syrup is really useful because it contains: vitamins A, E, K, B, PP, as well as calcium, potassium, zinc, magnesium, copper, selenium, manganese, iron, sodium and phosphorus. Such a product is especially useful for those who follow diets. Due to fructose, the syrup ensures a normal metabolism, helping to remove toxins and toxins from the body.

Medicinal properties

Agave contains fructans and saponins. The latter are also found in the roots of other plants, such as ginseng. It is saponins that have an anti-inflammatory effect, strengthen the immune system, and have an antimicrobial effect. Even the Aztecs used agave tincture to treat various wounds.

One of the varieties of fructans is the substance inulin, which has a number of properties:

1. Studies have shown that inulin can be useful for people who are overweight. The substance has an effect on blood sugar levels and enhances the feeling of satiety, thereby reducing appetite.
2. Inulin can lower the level of cholesterol in the body, and also reduces the risk of certain types of cancer.
3. Useful properties of the plant allow it to be used in order to prevent pregnancy. In China, substances such as dinordrin and anordrin are isolated from agave, which are part of the group of contraceptives, they can be taken only a couple of times a month, unlike other pills.
4. Studies have shown that thanks to inulin, calcium absorption is improved by twenty percent, which leads to an increase in tissue density by fifteen percent. Such properties of the plant are important for people of age, whose bones are prone to fragility.
5. Agave contains steroidal saponins, which are good as an antirheumatic agent.

Agave can be used as a remedy and at home. People suffering from neuritis and rheumatism can apply a cut sheet to a sore spot, wrapping it with a bandage. Such a compress should be kept for at least two hours. If an agave leaf causes a burning sensation, then the natural juice of the plant can be diluted with water in equal proportions, and then used for compresses and lotions.

Application of syrup

The syrup is used for a variety of purposes. It is even served as an independent drink or at the end of a meal. In the homeland of agave, syrup is considered a good aperitif. It is served in small glasses (no more than 50 grams). Syrup, served as a dessert, is able to cheer up, increase the tone of the body.

In addition, it goes well with gold and silver tequila, as well as with all kinds of liquors. A good bartender is able to offer at least fifteen cocktails using syrup. The most famous among them are "Watermelon Margarita", "Mexican Breakfast", "Postcard from Italy" and "Platinum Berry".

Agave syrup is used in some countries for the production of confectionery.

Is syrup safe?

The benefits and harms of agave syrup are the subject of much debate among experts. The miracles of marketing led to the incredible popularization of the syrup. However, some scientists believe that the product is far from safe. Unfortunately, it is currently advertised as a sugar substitute for diabetes due to the fact that fructose has a low glycemic index. But you should not forget that fructose can dramatically increase the resistance of the human body to insulin, which is also quite dangerous.

In addition, American scientists in the course of research came to conclusions about the dangers of using monosaccharides, since they lead to the destruction of the liver. Such conclusions were drawn regarding corn syrup. This means that this also applies to agave syrup, the level of fructose in it sometimes greatly exceeds that of the corn counterpart.

What are modern store-bought syrups?

All of the above beneficial properties of the plant itself and the syrup from it can be discussed when it comes to a natural product. It is difficult to say how good and safe the syrups offered by different brands are. Much depends on the initial raw materials, on how the fermentation process took place (low temperatures are preferable, since this reduces the loss of natural enzymes). Good syrup can be considered, in which the fructose content is 50%. It is difficult to find such a product in stores. As a rule, syrups of all brands have an indicator of about 90%.

Unfortunately, many manufacturers make a product that is much more dangerous than corn syrup. Therefore, if you decide to use agave nectar, then you should be more responsible in choosing a brand.

Why is fructose so important to the body?

It is no secret that glucose is the source of life for the body. Regular sugar contains both fructose and glucose. Of course, people prefer to use the first substance. But it is worth remembering that fructose is absorbed by the body in a completely different way than glucose. It is completely consumed by the liver, while damaging its cells. This means that it can provoke a number of chronic diseases. It is worth noting that a few centuries ago people consumed much less fructose than now (by 400-800%).

Fructose is converted to adipose tissue

As we have already said, an excessive amount of fructose adversely affects the liver itself. Experts have proven that it is almost completely converted into fat. That is why fructose is the main cause of obesity.

The situation is quite different with glucose, only 20% is processed by the liver. The irony is that people consume fructose to avoid obesity, not knowing that it is the source of extra pounds.

It should be understood that the fructose contained in vegetables and fruits is not at all the same substance that is present in synthetic syrups. The natural substance enters the body with minerals, vitamins and trace elements. But fructose syrup has no nutritional value. Yes, and these substances are processed in different ways.

Fructose is an incredibly cheap sweetener, so it is used in a number of countries for the production of many products, but there is not a word about it in the labeling. So, there is a risk to exceed the daily norm of this substance.