Breaking News: Tequila Is Good For You

Paging Doctor Jose Cuervo!

Wine makes me sad, whiskey makes me cranky and vodka makes me want to wash my mouth out. But tequila? Tequila is that one friend I think has ulterior motives, but really just has my back. It’s the reason I dance to Spice Girls on a beer-soaked stage and fall in love (read: make out) with three guys in an hour.

Now I have another reason to love my pal T—it’s good for me! Studies show it’s got loads of hidden health perks that may surprise you. Check ’em out.

1. It lowers blood sugar

Agavins, the sugars found in the blue agave plant, are non-digestible, meaning they won’t raise your blood sugar. Researchers found mice who ate a normal diet, then drank water with agavins ate less and had lower blood sugar than the mice who didn’t drink agavins.

2. It helps you lose weight

You’ve probably heard alcohol makes you gain weight, but since agavins lower blood sugar, most of the calories pass through your system instead of getting digested.

3. It can lower cholesterol

Tequila can break down dietary fat and help lower LDL levels, AKA the bad cholesterol. Plus, agavins are a type of fiber, and as we all learned in health class, increasing fiber in your diet helps lower cholesterol.

4. It’s diabetic-friendly

Sugary drinks are a big no-no for diabetics. But since tequila’s fructans are non-digestable, the sugar passes through your body, so no dangerous blood sugar spikes.

5. It aids in digestion

Experts say a shot of tequila before a meal can increase your metabolism and appetite, so bring on the tacos. Tequila has also been known to assist in digestion—it’s both a probiotic and a prebiotic, promoting the growth of good bacteria in the intestines.

6. It can fight the common cold

Forget chicken noodle soup, take a shot of tequila when you start to get sniffles. In the 1930s, doctors in Mexico treated a common cold with .5 ounces of Tequila Blanco, .5 ounces of agave nectar and .5 ounces of lime juice.

7. It helps you sleep

Tequila’s relaxing benefits can help calm nerves that help you snooze. You don’t even need to drink a lot to notice your body suddenly star to de-stress.

8. It cleans your colon

If you suffer from Crohn’s disease, IBS or colitis, tequila’s fructans are your BFFs. They contain natural chemical carriers that help deliver digestive drugs to the colon, which is usually blocked by stomach acid.

9. It doesn’t give you a hangover

Top shelf pure agave tequila blanco contains no added sugars, so shoot the good stuff and you’ll have a headache-free morning.