Drinking Tequila Can Lead to Weight Loss; Study Finds Agave Can Also Help with Diabetes

If you've ever ordered a "skinny" this or "low-carb" that at a bar, chances are you're trying to balance a healthy yet sociable lifestyle.

Red wine has its cardiovascular benefits, and certain types of beers have been linked to the prevention of dementia and treatment of digestive issues, but neither deliver the kick of tequila; the blue agave-based liquor known as much for its Mexican roots as its ability to have you texting an ex after a couple of shots.

Researchers with Guanajuato, Mexico's Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados found agave plants in tequila have their own set of health benefits, leading to weight loss and improved conditions in patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

"We have found that since agavins reduce glucose levels and increase GLP-1, they also increase the amount of insulin," said Mercedes G. López in a study released last year. "Agavins are not expensive and they have no known side effects, except for those few people who cannot tolerate them."

Lopez's team tested their hypothesis by adding agave to mice's drinking water. The group of mice that drank agavins lost weight and saw a drop in their blood glucose levels, compared to results from artificial sweeteners like sucrose, fructose, and agave syrup which are often sold at health stores.

"This study represents the first attempt to evaluate agavins as sweeteners in spite of their lower sweetness compared to sugar,'" Lopez said.

The study didn't specify if one type of tequila is more beneficial than another, nor did they give recommended daily intake, though common sense says to stop when you nausea settles in. Gold tequilas are watered down by caramel coloring while silvers - like Patron and 1800 - maintain more of the natural sweeteners. It's additional artificial sugar that leads to hangover effects of vomiting and headaches.

"One slight downside, however, is that agavins are not quite as sweet as their artificial counterparts," she said, meaning that "skinny" margaritas are still on the menu if you need a flavor boost.