Are you surprised to hear tequila has health benefits? In Mexico, where tequila was first developed, it is considered a sophisticated drink and is best enjoyed by taking slow, measured sips. Tequila has a bad reputation because many brands of the drink are mixed with other sugar-based alcohols. If you buy a bottle of tequila made from 100% agave - a plant unique to Mexico - the drink can actually have some great benefits. Here are 10 ways that having the occasional glass of tequila can help your health.
An occasional glass of tequila can act as a probiotic. Probiotics are healthy bacteria in your intestines. They help maintain a healthy immune system. Fructans in agave are rich in probiotics, from which tequila is made. However, moderation is key. If you drink too much alcohol, your natural reserve of healthy bacteria can become depleted.
2. It's also Prebiotic
Tequila is also a prebiotic, which is any food ingredients that promote the growth of good bacteria in the intestines. A study by researchers in Mexico has found that the prebiotics in tequila can improve the intestine environment, which allows for good bacteria to thrive.
3. Helps with appetite and digestion
4. It can lower your chances of developing dementia
A study looking at people over the age of 75 and their drinking habits found that drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, including tequila, lowered their chances of developing dementia. The study defined moderate amounts as 8 -14 drinks a week. However, you have to be careful because they also discovered that drinking any more than 14 per week, can cause the chances of developing dementia to go up.
Tequila might be better than counting sheep. The drink’s relaxing benefits can help calm nerves and induce sleep, according to research. This is not an answer if you have chronic insomnia, but it does help with episodic encounters. Tequila is best as something to help you unwind on occasion and should not be relied on.
6. Directs medication to the colon
If you have a disease that affects your digestive system, like IBS, colitis or Crohn’s, tequila might be a real help. The fructans in tequila can help medication reach the colon without the stomach acid breaking the pills down. This is because the fructans contain natural chemical carriers which can protect the pills. Scientists are currently looking at adding these type of fructans to prescription medications.
7. It doesn’t leave you with a hangover
You might associate tequila with strong hangovers, but real tequila doesn’t leave you with painful side effects the next day. It’s important to emphasize that this is only the case for the 100% agave variety. The cheaper brands with the added alcoholic sugars don’t offer this benefit. As with all alcoholic drinks, it’s important to take moderation into account.
8. It can help you lose weight
The agavins, a type of sugar contained within tequila, can help you lose weight if you don't overdo it. This is because their molecular structure is fairly simple, and as a result don't raise your blood pressure as other types of alcohol might. This results in many of the calories passing through your system unused, which doesn't tend to happen with other types of alcoholic drinks with higher glycemic indexes.
9. It could help cure osteoporosis
The agavins mentioned above may also be a good option for preventing the development of brittle or fragile bones. This is because several studies have shown a link between the presence of agavins and the rate of calcium absorption in the human body.
10. It could help prevent Type 2 diabetes
Since the fructons in tequila are non-digestable, they act as fiber and end up passing through the body without being digested. In this way, dangerous blood sugar spikes are avoided, and insulin production may become stimulated.
Still not convinced? This video will offer some additional insight:
Other Uses For Tequila:
• Cooking - Using tequila instead of wine can give a tangy kick to loads of different meals
• Cleaning - While not as pure as vodka, many surfaces can be easily scrubbed clean with a bit of tequila
• Stress relief - Having a shot or two of tequila can help you easily unwind at the end of a long day
• Deodorant - Rubbing tequila onto your skin can help reduce the smell of body odor
BONUS: How Tequila Is Made
Images by Deposit Photos.
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