Agave syrup glycemic index
Agave syrup has a glycemic index of 13, which is low. A 20 g serving (1 tablespoon) has a glycemic load of 2 (low).
Also known as: agave nectar
- Serving20 g
- Available carbs15 g
- Fiber0 g
- Sugars14 g
- Protein0 g
- Calories62 kcal
Serving: 1 tablespoon.
What to know
Agave syrup has a very low GI (13) because it is mostly fructose. That also means it shares fructose's downsides in large amounts; use it sparingly like any sweetener.
Glycemic load by portion size
GI stays the same whatever you eat, but glycemic load scales with the amount: eating twice as much doubles the effect on blood sugar.
| Amount | Available carbs | Glycemic load | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 g | 38 g | 5 | Low |
| 100 g | 76 g | 10 | Low |
| 20 g · 1 tablespoon | 15 g | 2 | Low |
| 40 g · double serving | 30 g | 4 | Low |
What the studies found
The value of 13 is the mean calculated by the authors of the International Tables of Glycemic Index (2021) across 3 studies. Results are fairly consistent (10 to 13).
Each dot is one study. Green dots followed the ISO 26642 standard method.
- 10 · USA 2001
- 11 · USA 2001
Agave syrup compared with other sugars & sweeteners
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Frequently asked questions
Is agave syrup low glycemic?
Yes. With a GI of 13, agave syrup is in the low range (55 or less).
What is the glycemic load of agave syrup?
A 20 g serving (1 tablespoon) has a glycemic load of 2, which is low. Glycemic load combines GI with the amount of carbohydrate in the portion: 10 or less is low, 11 to 19 medium and 20 or more high.
Can people with diabetes eat agave syrup?
With a GI of 13 and a low glycemic load per serving, agave syrup usually fits a diabetes-friendly diet in normal portions. Everyone responds differently, so talk to your doctor or dietitian about your plan.
How many carbs are in agave syrup?
A 20 g serving has about 15 g of total carbohydrate, including 0 g of fiber, leaving 15.2 g of available carbohydrate (the part that raises blood sugar). Per 100 g: 76.4 g of carbohydrate.
Nutrition facts
| per 100 g | Serving (20 g) | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 310 kcal | 62 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 76 g | 15 g |
| Available carbs | 76 g | 15 g |
| Fiber | 0.2 g | 0 g |
| Sugars | 68 g | 14 g |
| Protein | 0.1 g | 0 g |
| Fat | 0.5 g | 0.1 g |
Source: USDA FoodData Central, Sweetener, syrup, agave (SR Legacy, FDC 170277). Available carbohydrate = total carbohydrate minus fiber.
Sources: Atkinson FS, Brand-Miller JC, Foster-Powell K, Buyken AE, Goletzke J. International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values 2021: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr. 2021;114(5):1625–1632. USDA FoodData Central. How we calculate each value: Methodology & sources.
Data last reviewed 2026-09-29.