A new study found that the blue agave plant, a main tequila ingredient, when taken daily can help lower blood glucose levels and aid in weight loss. This discovery can help obese people and diabetics have another artificial sweetener option.
The blue agave, also known as tequila agave, is mostly found in Mexico and is popular as a main ingredient in the production of tequila. It is rich in fructose which made it perfect for the preparation of alcoholic drinks. Now, a new study found another use of this plant and soon it might be developed as a sweetener.
Researchers from the Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, Biotechnology and Biochemistry Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico, led by Mercedes G. López, experimented on mice which they fed a standard diet and a water with few drops of agavins. They monitored the reactions of the subjects and noted that they consumed lesser food, lost weight, and showed lower blood glucose levels. They compared the results to those mice that were given other types of artificial sweeteners such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, agave syrup and aspartame.
"This study represents the first attempt to evaluate agavins as sweeteners in spite of their lower sweetness compared to sugar,'" Lopez said in a press release.
Artificial sweeteners were introduced for those who would like to have a sweetener option that is lower in calories compared to the regular sugar. These are found in varieties of products and are often labeled "diet" or "sugar-free."Most people use it instead of sugar for weight loss because it almost has zero calories compared to a teaspoon of sugar which has 4 calories. People with diabetes also use this as an alternative because it doesn't raise the blood sugar levels.
Once approved, this new artificial sweetener can become the healthiest and cheapest sweetener in the market which can both reduce weight and blood sugar levels.
"We have found that since agavins reduce glucose levels and increase GLP-1, they also increase the amount of insulin. Agavins are not expensive and they have no known side effects, except for those few people who cannot tolerate them," Lopez said in a press release.
This study was presented in the 247th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS).
