According to Studies, Drinking Tequila May Help You Lose Weight!
According to Studies, Drinking Tequila May Help You Lose Weight!
Excess weight is the bane of many societies, along with the detriments that come along with it like diabetes and metabolic disease. It seems that every day brings a new weight loss method or magic pill, but perhaps none as unique as agavins. These natural occurring sugars come from none other than the agave plant, which is the same one that brings us tequila.
At the American Chemical Society’s 247th meeting, researchers presented that agavins lowered blood glucose in laboratory mice. Most of the rodents that drank agavin-infused water lost weight as well, as opposed to those that drank water laced with other sweeteners. Those include sugars that are prevalent in our food and beverages, such as glucose, fructose, agave syrup and aspartame.
Agavins contain fructose, so why would they have a different effect on our bodies than any other sugar of the same type? The reason is that they are not like the demonized high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), which raises blood sugar levels. HFCS is broken down into individual fructose while agavins are fructans – long-chain fructose strung together in configurations our bodies cannot use. Agave nectar may sound similar and is on many health food store shelves. However, take note that this is not the same as agavins. Agave is a sweetener much like HFCS, which raises blood sugar levels.
Since agavins come from the same plant that tequila does, would downing tequila on a regular basis help a person lose weight? Agavins are the only carbohydrate used in the production of tequila, but they are broken down into ethanol in the process. Ethanol is broken down for energy in the liver before any fats are, so engorging on margaritas is not recommended. Keep in mind too that alcohol in large quantities is not recommended for anyone and can cause a host of other health issues.
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The fructan itself is promising, however. It increases the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which increases insulin by slowing the emptying of stomach contents. It does not cause the side effects of artificial sweeteners, and the fiber content in it can keep one feeling fuller, thereby eating less. Some people do have issues with fiber, so may not be able to tolerate an agavin additive.
The succulent agave plant has brought us many things and is, of course, infamous for many wild nights and embarrassing dances, all thanks to tequila. Whether it will soon be famous as a weight loss regimen that works and helps diabetics remains to be seen. For now, the mice are healthy, but human trials have yet to begin.