by When it comes to general health, it’s well established that alcohol is bad news, but are all alcohols equally bad?
California gastroenterologist Dr. Saurabh Sethi took to TikTok to share his surprising choice for the “healthiest choice” for drinkers.
Sethi’s preference? Tequila.
Although he explains that no amount of alcohol is “good” for your health, tequila has an edge or salt edge over the competition.
He explains: “Tequila is made from the agave plant, which is low in sugar and carbohydrates. » Unlike liqueurs distilled from grains, tequila is naturally gluten-free.
According to The Post, Mexican researchers from the Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados Biotechnology and Biochemistry Irapuato discovered that the agave in tequila is not digestible and does not raise blood sugar levels as much as other drinks alcoholic.
Tequila can also make the medication go down.
Researchers at the University of Guadalajara have discovered that the blue agave used to make tequila can create a protective barrier around medications used to treat intestinal diseases and prevent the medication from diluting in the stomach.
As Medical News Today reports, agave contains compounds such as fructans and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), which may function as prebiotics and promote a healthy gut microbiota, improve digestion, and potentially alleviate gastrointestinal issues. .
Part of the reason alcohol is bad for the body is that when we drink alcohol, it breaks down into acetaldehyde, a known cancer-causing toxin that damages the body’s DNA and prevents it from repairing the damage. .
Although tequila also triggers the production of acetaldehyde, the process is slower, which can be beneficial the next day and in the long term.
Sethi says, “Tequila is metabolized to acetaldehyde at a slower rate than other alcoholic beverages. This slower metabolism may explain why some people report fewer hangovers with tequila.
According to a study from the Behavioral and Social Sciences Center for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Studies at Brown University School of Public Health, one of the main culprits of hangovers is the presence of fermentation products called congeners..
Clear tequila made from 100 percent blue agave contains fewer congeners than the dark liquors that share its high-end perch.
Sethis notes, “These benefits only apply to one hundred percent agave tequila. Mixing tequila with sugary drinks negates the potential benefits.
Tanya Zuckerbrot, a certified dietitian at F-Factor Nutrition in Midtown, recommends tequila to her clients who like to imbibe.
Compared to a one-ounce shot of vodka, which has 96 calories, she told the Post: “A shot of tequila only has 64 calories.” Plus, it’s made from agave and has a naturally sweet flavor. This eliminates the need for sugary mixers, where the calories and carbs actually pile up.
While tequila may have a leg or lime on other bottles of alcohol, Sethis says, “The healthiest option is to avoid alcohol as much as possible.” »
