I’ve had a number of people mention to me that a relative of theirs has diabetes and uses agave nectar as a sugar substitute.

Agave nectar comes from the agave plant; incidentally, the same plant from which tequila is made. I think that because agave is seen as “natural” it’s thought to be healthier than other sugars. This is not the case. It’s the same sort of product as the dreaded corn syrup (also from a plant by the way). Agave nectar may have a slightly lower glycemic index than other caloric sweeteners but this is only because it has a very high fructose content. Not really a good thing from a nutritional standpoint.

As for use of agave nectar as a sweetener for diabetics. Certainly, they may use it but in the same way that any other sugar or syrup would be used (1).