Study: Tequila plant could help fight obesity, diabetes

PHOENIX — If you’re trying to drop a few pounds, you may want to skip the celery and head straight to the tequila. Or at least the plant it’s made from.

A new study said the natural sweeteners in the agave plant, agavins, could suppress appetites and lower blood glucose levels. The agave plant is used to make tequila.

“The researchers got a little bit excited because they said, ‘Well, maybe there’s something here that we should be using agavins as a sugar substitute,'” said Dr. Fabrizio Mancini, who works with celebrities.

The study showed a drop in the blood glucose levels of lab mice that had consumed agavins.

The naturally-occurring agavins are unable to be digested by the body, which treats them as dietary fiber, the study said.

Researchers said raw agavins are different than the processed agave nectar or syrup being sold at health stores. Agavins are also not in tequila, as they are used to create alcohol during the fermentation process.