How TREVBI Helps You Avoid Sneaky Gut Triggers—Starting with Agave

What you think is healthy… might not be.

Agave syrup is everywhere—often labeled as organic, natural, or low glycemic. But here’s what many don’t realize: agave can contain more fructose than high-fructose corn syrup, making it especially harmful for your metabolism and your gut.

For people dealing with IBS, SIBO, or diverticulitis—or anyone following a FODMAP diet—agave is a prime example of a “healthy” ingredient that may be doing more harm than good.

Agave looks clean on the label, but it’s chaos in the gut. It’s a perfect example of how “healthy” marketing can hide real digestive consequences—especially for people navigating gut conditions.

And agave is just the beginning.

What is the FODMAP Diet?

FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols. These are short-chain carbohydrates and sugar alcohols that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine.

When these carbs ferment in the gut, they can lead to symptoms like gas, bloating, cramping, and irregular bowel movements—especially in people with sensitive digestive systems or chronic conditions.

The FODMAP diet is a science-backed approach designed to reduce these symptoms. It starts with a temporary elimination phase, followed by a gradual reintroduction to identify which specific foods are your personal triggers.

It’s often recommended for people with:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)

• Diverticulitis

• Chronic bloating

• Inflammation-related digestive issues

  
  

Here’s a quick look at some of the most common high- and low-FODMAP foods. You don’t have to memorize this—TREVBI flags them for you automatically. But understanding the basics can help you feel more in control of your choices.

FODMAP Diet Food Guide

High-FODMAP Foods to Avoid (or limit):

• Garlic and onions (especially raw)

• Agave syrup

• Apples, pears, mangoes

• Watermelon

• Honey

• Wheat, barley, rye (in large amounts)

• Dairy products with lactose (milk, soft cheeses, yogurt)

• Legumes like lentils and chickpeas

• Cauliflower, asparagus, and artichokes

• Sugar alcohols (sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol)

  
  

Low-FODMAP Foods to Enjoy:

• Bananas (firm), blueberries, strawberries

• Carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, spinach

• Potatoes and sweet potatoes (small portions)

• Gluten-free grains (rice, oats, quinoa)

• Lactose-free milk or plant-based milks (almond, coconut, rice)

• Maple syrup or stevia

• Eggs, tofu (firm), chicken, fish

• Cheddar, parmesan, or lactose-free cheeses

• Olive oil, herbs, and spices (without onion/garlic powder)

  
  

The FODMAP Diet is Built Into the TREVBI App

TREVBI makes following a FODMAP diet easier, smarter, and more personalized.

Inside the app, you can select FODMAP as one of nearly 20 dietary preferences available in the AI-powered recipe feature. Once selected, the app:

• Flags high-FODMAP ingredients like agave whether they’re in your pantry, your fridge, or on the label of something you’re about to buy

• Generates custom recipes based on low-FODMAP guidelines

• Suggests swaps and gut-friendly alternatives

• Helps you cook confidently without memorizing ingredient lists

It’s like having a food-label translator, nutritionist, and recipe creator all in one.

The Truth About Agave

Agave syrup is made from the same plant used to make tequila, but the syrup form is far from natural. The production process strips away any beneficial compounds and turns it into a highly refined sweetener packed with fructose—sometimes up to 90%.

Fructose is one of the key carbs restricted on the FODMAP diet because of its tendency to ferment in the gut. For people with digestive issues, agave can trigger bloating, cramping, gas, and even flare-ups in conditions like diverticulitis.

Watch out for these agave aliases:

• Organic agave nectar

• Blue agave syrup

• Agave inulin

• Raw agave

• Agave sweetener

  
  

Processed and Pesticide-Prone

Agave is a processed product—regardless of whether it’s labeled raw, organic, or natural. Manufacturers convert inulin (a prebiotic fiber) into fructose through heating and chemical processes, removing most of its original nutritional value.

In some cases, agave—especially non-organic—has tested positive for pesticide residues due to large-scale monoculture farming practices. Even if you opt for organic, the fructose content is unchanged and still problematic.

FODMAP-Friendly Sweetener Alternatives

If you’re trying to support your gut or follow a FODMAP protocol, here are some better-tolerated sweeteners:

• Maple syrup (pure, small amounts)

• Stevia extract (not blended with sugar alcohols)

• Monk fruit (pure, without erythritol)

• Rice syrup

• Table sugar (sucrose, in limited quantities)

Portion control still matters—even lower-FODMAP sweeteners can cause issues when overused.

Final Thoughts

The FODMAP diet isn’t about perfection or restriction—it’s about clarity. It helps you identify what your body can handle, and what it can’t. Agave is just one of many ingredients that may sound clean but behave differently once they hit your digestive system.

That’s why we built TREVBI—to decode what’s on your plate, flag what doesn’t serve you, and offer healthier alternatives that do.

With nearly 20 diet options available—including FODMAP—TREVBI helps you personalize your food journey, understand what’s inside your ingredients, and make confident choices that support your gut, your goals, and your health.

You don’t need to guess. You just need to scan, swap, and cook with clarity.

Have a gut story to share? Tried the FODMAP diet or spotted agave hiding in your food?Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear your experience.

Let’s make food smarter, together.

TREVBI makes that simple.

This is where clarity meets clean eating.

TREVBI

Transparency in Every Bite!

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