Tom Gabb: Tequila “The health spirit”

Tequila has long been associated with that special kind of dizzy amnesia that leaves you piecing together a night out like a seasoned detective but in a strange twist of fate, it is now best known for its numerous health benefits.

My last column was about staying healthy and enjoying a few drinks and invariably I read a lot about this Mexican super drink, so considering all the hype I wanted to delve a little deeper and find out if we are giving too much credence to these health claims.

There is information to support the idea that tequila is a healthier spirit than most, notably the fact that the human digestive system does not break down the main sugars in tequila (agavins). Meaning that instead of digesting the sugars in the drink they pass through our systems with relatively no adverse effects.

Beyond this though there is a lot of very sketchy “information” including the notion that tequila can help prevent osteoporosis or even dementia. I am in fact sad to say that I was duped by a similar story. In my last column I proudly stated that “tequila is probiotic” but after some more intense research, this is simply not true. The plant that tequila is made from has probiotic properties, but they are lost in the distillation process.

For example, the article ‘Tequila is good for your bones, Science says’ in The Independent explains that the fructans in tequila have been proven to help bone strength in mice. However, a separate report notes that these fructans are once again lost in the process used to make tequila.

To summarise sensationalist headlines about the benefits of our favourite foods and drinks are of course nothing new, it seems every month a new study has proven chocolate helps prevent strokes or wine treats insomnia. However, what I have learnt is that you need to look at the initial study and if something quotes simply “science” as a source, be wary.