The following is to provide answers to our most frequently asked questions about Xagave.

Q. What is Xagave?

A. Xagave is an organic and proprietary blend of Agave Salmiana ("White Agave") and inulin from Agave Tequilana ("Blue Agave"). This is the only blend of its kind and makes Xagave the best tasting and healthiest agave on the market. In addition, its standardized inulin content ensures that Xagave has the best and most consistent cooking qualities. Xagave is loaded with calcium, inulin and other vitamins and minerals. Xagave is extracted from the root or "bulb" of the agave plant. The plant takes 7 to 8 eight years to mature before the nectar can be extracted. The nectar is then processed, to avoid fermentation with organic enzymes and heated to 117 Degrees Fahrenheit; hence, it is considered a "raw" product. No other agave on the market has the same great taste, is as versatile as a sweetener, or has the same health benefits of Xagave.

Q. Where does Xagave come from?

A. Xagave comes from central Mexico; the only place in the world that agave nectar is grown and produced. BetterBody Foods & Nutrition has a direct relationship with a co-op of farmers that grow and produce agave nectar. The co-op and BetterBody Foods believe in fair trade and practice and purchase the product at a fair price. Other agaves are purchased on the open market without any idea of where the agave was grown or how it was grown. The farms and the production facility for Xagave are USDA Organic certified. We then blend the White Agave and the inulin from the Blue Agave and bottle and package it in our own facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, to ensure quality.

Q. What can Xagave be used for?

A. Xagave is the "sweet, satisfying and sensible "choice ™ for all of your sweetening needs. Xagave is a "complete sugar replacement"™ and can be used for cooking, canning, baking and as a tabletop sweetener for your coffee, tea and cereal. It is wonderful in sauces, salad dressings, cakes, cookies, breads, pies and practically anything that you can imagine. To better understand how to use Xagave, please refer to our Sugar Exchange Table. We also highly recommend purchasing "Delicious Meets Nutritious", the most comprehensive cookbook devoted to the use of Xagave.

Q. Why is Xagave better for me than sugar or honey?

A. Honey and sugar are both in the HIGH category on the Glycemic Index (GI) Scale (approximately 90). Foods that are high on the Glycemic Index Scale spike blood sugar levels and promote weight gain. Why? Because foods that spike your blood sugar level give you instant energy, then just as quickly the energy depletes, thereby making you hungry, tired and lethargic -- so you eat more to get back that energetic feeling. Xagave, on the other hand, is a low GI food (approximately 30) and contains inulin, a prebiotic fiber. Hence, due to its low GI and fiber content, Xagave does not spike your blood sugar level, which balances your energy levels. In addition, it satiates you when consumed (i.e., makes you feel satisfied) and, therefore, you eat less. Xagave is also 1.4 times sweeter than both honey and sugar so you use less and save calories without sacrificing the sweetness in your foods. Furthermore, Xagave has a number of health benefits that cannot be matched by any other sweetener. Xagave contains calcium and inulin, which studies have shown is good for the bacteria in your lower intestine, which promotes a healthy gut. As little as 5 to 10 grams of inulin a day boosts the immune system, promotes regularity, improves calcium absorption and increases bone density. Xagave contains 7.5 grams of inulin in three tablespoons.

Q. How many calories does Xagave have versus sugar?

A. Xagave has about 900 calories per cup. By comparison, sugar has about 800 calories per cup, but you only use 1/2 to 2/3 of a cup of Xagave for each cup of sugar. So for each cup of sugar called for in a recipe, you save between 200 and 350 calories per cup of sugar called for when using Xagave. In addition, Xagave contains Inulin, which the FDA requires that we ascribe 4 calories per gram -- the same number of calories as any other carbohydrate, including sugar. But in fact, Inulin is not digested in you upper digestive tract and has no caloric effect on the body. Xagave is 12% Inulin, so you can safely reduce the total calories by another 12%. Therefore, Sugar and Xagave, on a cup for cup basis, have the same number of calories (about 800) but with Xagave you only use 1/2 the amount and save about 50% in calories.

Q. How will Xagave save me calories?

A. Because Xagave is 1.4 times sweeter than sugar, you use smaller amounts, without sacrificing taste, thereby saving calories. In addition, Xagave contains inulin, a prebiotic fiber that, unlike sugar or high fructose corn syrup acts to satiate you, so you eat less. Furthermore, the inulin permits you to reduce fats in the foods that you prepare without sacrificing taste or texture. For example, the Zucchini Bread in Delicious Meets Nutritious that is made with Xagave is about 100 calories less per slice than the sugar recipe. You will also save thousand of calories on jams, cakes and pies found in the cookbook. For you own recipes, please refer to the Sugar Exchange Table that provides the appropriate exchange of Xagave for sugar, whether cooking, canning, baking or making beverages. On average, you will save between 25 to 40% in calories when using Xagave. We encourage you to look at our cookbook, Delicious Meets Nutritious, for hundreds of delicious, quick-to-make, calorie-saving recipes.

Q. What is Inulin?

A. Inulin is a prebiotic fiber found in 3500 fruits and vegetables. Think of it as food for you lower intestine or gut that makes it healthy and function properly. Studies have shown that inulin boosts the immune system, promotes regularity, enhances calcium absorption and increases bone density. It is a fantastic ingredient in any food and should be included in everyone's diet. Studies suggest 5 to 10 grams per day to achieve the health benefits outlined above. Xagave has 7.5 grams in three tablespoons. In addition, inulin has been utilized in the commercial baking industry to enhance the taste and texture of low-fat and low-sugar baked goods because it improves the "mouth feel" of foods. This is why when Xagave is utilized in recipes; the taste and texture of foods are enhanced.

Q. What is the Glycemic Index and why is it important?

A. Glycemic Index (GI) is a measure of how quickly carbohydrates turn to sugar so that the body can utilize it as energy. The higher the number on the Glycemic Index Scale, the quicker the food item turns to sugar. Sugar, honey and white flour are all high on the Glycemic Index Scale. The problem with high GI foods is that if the body cannot immediately utilize the energy, the energy is stored as fat. As this happens, you begin to fell lethargic and you begin to crave the foods that give you more energy. Thus, high GI foods create a vicious cycle of over consumption. High GI foods are also one of the major causes of our weight problems and the corresponding chronic diseases of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. On the other hand, low GI foods, like Xagave, take longer for the body to break the food down creating a balance of energy so you do not feel the "highs" and "lows" that high GI foods create. You also feel more satisfied longer with low GI foods, thus causing you to feel better and consume less. Xagave is a low GI food (30 vs. sugar and honey which are 90). It is recommended that the foods you eat be below a 50 on the GI scale.

Q. Is Xagave approved by the Food and Drug Administration?

A. Yes, Xagave is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and complies with all the requirements of the USP and FCC.

Q. Is Xagave gluten free?

A. Yes, Xagave is gluten free and is completely 100% raw and organic with no other added ingredients.

Q. Is Xagave safe for diabetics?

A. Yes, it appears to be safe for Type II Diabetics due to its low GI (approximately 30) index, however, we caution you, and recommend, that you check with your doctor before consumption. We have had numerous diabetics use Xagave in their foods and swear by it. We highly recommend that you try a little and test your own blood sugar level to see how your body responds.

Q. Is Xagave safe for pregnant woman?

A. Yes, it appears to be. We have not heard of anyone experiencing any negative effects. Again, we recommend that you talk with you doctor. We believe that this concern arose due to the fact that honey is not recommended for pregnant woman. Xagave, however, is derived from the root of the agave plant and is an organic, natural product. No bees participate in its production.

Q. What is the shelf life of Xagave?

A. Xagave has a long shelf life. Our product has been "champion" tested by independent labs and they have confirmed a shelf life of 18 months. We have heard of instances of a 2 to 3 year shelf life, however, we do not recommend this.

Q. Do I need to refrigerate Xagave after opening?

A. No. You can leave the opened bottle on your counter or in your pantry for convenient use.

Q. How many calories does Xagave have versus sugar?

A. Xagave has about 900 calories per cup. By comparison, sugar has about 800 calories per cup, but you only use 1/2 to 2/3 of a cup of Xagave for each cup of sugar. So for each cup of sugar called for in a recipe, you save between 200 and 350 calories per cup of sugar called for when using Xagave. In addition, Xagave contains Inulin, which the FDA requires that we ascribe 4 calories per gram -- the same number of calories as any other carbohydrate, including sugar. But in fact, Inulin is not digested in you upper digestive tract and has no caloric effect on the body. Xagave is 12% Inulin, so you can safely reduce the total calories by another 12%. Therefore, Sugar and Xagave, on a cup for cup basis, have the same number of calories (about 800) but with Xagave you only use 1/2 the amount and save about 50% in calories.