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Coconut tequila adds a tropical touch to the famous Mexican drink. In this article, we go over seven health benefits, how it’s made, and a cocktail recipe you’ll love to sip.
What is tequila?
Tequila is a distilled beverage derived from the blue agave plant, which is grown mostly in the area surrounding Tequila.
The exact flavor of tequila depends on where the agave plant grows. Blue agave grown in the Los Altos mountains have a larger, sweeter aroma and flavor. The scent and flavor of agave harvested in the valley region are more herbaceous.
Even though Mexico produces massive quantities of tequila, the production process is still mostly manual. Everything from harvesting to extracting to distilling is passed down from generation to generation.
How is coconut tequila made?
Coconut tequila is a tropical twist on the tequila formula.
It is made by infusing coconut water into triple-distilled tequila. You can detect the signature aroma of tequila, but there are also hints of toasted coconut.
The beverage can be described as having a smooth and silky texture. It is perfect for fruit juices, margaritas, or simply chilled.
Health benefits of coconut tequila.
A quick disclaimer before we get started — no alcoholic beverage is truly “healthy”.
That being said, tequila does not have as many adverse effects as other drinks. Tequila is made from fermented agave. And agave juice contains sugars that seem to offer various health benefits. Studies are not entirely conclusive, that the outlook is positive.
Let’s look at seven possible health benefits of raw agave, the source of coconut tequila.
1 – Helps lose weight.
Remember that special type of sugar we just mentioned? They’re called agavins.
Agave contains high levels of this sugar. According to preliminary studies, agavins may operate or function similarly to dietary fiber. This means they are not digested and absorbed in the same way as most sugars.
Because of this, agavins may not affect blood glucose levels or provide calories in the diet. This could explain how they could help with weight loss and diabetic management (1).
2 – Curbs inflammation.
Saponin chemicals found in agave may have anti-inflammatory benefits. This suggests that ingesting saponin may help to alleviate inflammation-related pain.
According to an older study (2), Agave tequilana, Agave americana, and Agave Angustifolia have been utilized in Mexican traditional medicine for generations. Its anti-inflammatory qualities have been lauded through the years.
When scientists injected all three agave species into mice with swollen ears, they found that they had an anti-inflammatory impact. A. Americana was found to have the strongest effect.
3. Coconut tequila Aids immunity.
Agave includes antioxidants, which may have immune-boosting properties.
When compared to other natural sweeteners, agave syrups offer many antioxidative components, according to a 2019 study (3). The study also found that tannins are one of these antioxidative components.
According to some animal studies (4), tannins increase immune function by assisting cells in communicating in order to coordinate a response.
4. Coconut tequila Helps with digestion.
Agave includes chemicals that may help with digestion by fostering a healthy gut microbiota, which is a community of good bacteria.
This is because agave includes fructans and fructooligosaccharides (FOS), which appear to operate as prebiotics, according to a 2016 article (5). Prebiotics are indigestible fibers that fuel the growth of beneficial bacteria in the stomach.
Fructans and fructooligosaccharides may work as prebiotics, promoting a healthy gut flora, improving digestion, and alleviating the symptoms of some digestive disorders.
5. Coconut tequila Improves bone health.
Fructans, which are found in blue agave, have been shown in animal experiments to help prevent bone loss and promote bone growth.
Mice fed 10% agave fructans demonstrated elevated calcium levels in their bones and blood, in a 2014 study (6). This indicates that agave fructans supplementation can boost bone formation and prevent bone loss.
Fructans may assist enhance calcium and magnesium intake and induce new bone development in mice. This even extends to those with osteoporosis, a degenerative bone disease.
Other bone-building minerals found in agave saps include magnesium, phosphorus, iron, and zinc (7).
6. Coconut tequila Improves iron levels.
Iron is abundant in the sap of the Agave salmiana species.
The entire daily recommended iron intake for an adult can be found in an 850-milliliter dish of agave sap (8).
7 – Coconut tequila Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.
Agave is high in agavins, which provide sweetness and nutrients without raising blood sugar levels. This is due to the fact that the body is unable to absorb them.
Agavins were discovered to help lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin levels, which regulate blood sugar levels, according to a 2014 study (9).
Agavins are not digested and absorbed in the same way as other sugars. They may help with weight loss and lower the risk of obesity. This in turn lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Coconut tequila cocktail.
Here’s how to make a simple cocktail with coconut tequila. But don’t let its simplicity turn you off. The tropical ingredients will teleport you all the way to the Caribbean with a few sips.
Ingredients
- Ice cubes
- 2 ounces 1800 coconut tequila
- 1-ounce pineapple juice
- ¾ ounce lime juice
- Lime wedges
- Sea salt to rim glass
Preparation
- Rim a margarita glass by running a lime wedge around the edge, then dip it in a shallow plate of sea salt.
- Add ice, coconut tequila, pineapple juice, and lime juice to a cocktail shaker. Shake until blended.
- Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass and garnish with a lime slice or lime wedge.
Some considerations.
Despite the amazing health benefits of agave, the final product — tequila — is still an alcoholic beverage. And by drinking tequila, you will experience a gamut of health compromises: (10)
- Problems with digestion
- Depression and anxiety
- Problems with memory and learning
- Reduced immune function
- Obesity
- Heart disease
- Cancer
Final thoughts.
Coconut tequila is the perfect drink for when you need to feel a touch of the tropics in your beverages. It’s one of the best types of alcohol for health-conscious individuals, too.
Do you have any ways you like to toss back this drink? Let us know in the comments below!
