Can tequila, which many people like to have fun with, be good for our health? Most of us will probably say no and try to remember our last drink with her. However, scientists from Mexico have found that it is quite possible. It turns out that drinking alcohol within certain limits can improve the strength of our bones.
Researchers have found that the blue agave plant, from which the popular tequila is made, contains substances that help bones better absorb calcium and magnesium. The combination of the two substances strengthens the bone structure.
"Consumption of natural plant sugars or fructans has a beneficial effect on the intestinal microflora and promotes the formation of new bone even in the presence of osteoporosis," said Dr. Mercedes Lopez of the Center for Research and Analysis in Mexico to Science Daily .
Osteoporosis is one of the conditions in which bones become weaker and more prone to fractures. The researchers performed an experiment on mice that caused the disease. They gave them blue agave fructans and took samples eight weeks after consumption to test them for osteocalcin, a protein responsible for making new bone. The mice that received the plant synthesized almost 50% more of the substance and thus their bone diameter increased.
The results of a study by Mexican scientists provide the basis for developing an alternative treatment for osteoporosis, which is affecting more and more adults.
Tequila is one of Mexico's trademarks. The spirit is made from fermented juice obtained from the core of the blue agave plant, which looks like a cactus. Even the Aztecs used the juice from its core to sweeten various foods and drinks.
Older Mexican studies show that the plant from which tequila is made has a beneficial effect on blood sugar levels and weight in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Used in moderation, alcohol improves digestion, acts as a natural probiotic, soothes nerves and fights insomnia.