The rumor circulating the internet that throwing back a few shots of tequila could be the next best way to drop a few pounds is, sadly, just a rumor. We know, we just ruined the best news you’ve heard all week. But someone had to drop the truth bomb eventually.On March 16, 2014, researchers speaking at the American Chemical Society meeting announced their findings that a sweetener made from the agave plant, which is also where tequila comes from, could effectively lower blood glucose levels, and therefore, help Americans suffering from type 2 diabetes and obesity lose weight while still enjoying slightly sweetened foods.A natural form of sugar found in the agave plant, agavins, are non-digestable, have a low-glycemic index, and can actually act as a dietary fiber. Because of their molecular organization, they are not metabolized and therefore do not affect blood glucose levels: Agavins are made up of fuctoses linked together in long, branched chains. The human body is unable to use them in this form.Researcher Mercedes G. López, Ph.D., adds: “We have found that since agavins reduce glucose levels and increase GLP-1 [a hormone that slows the stomach from emptying, which stimulates insulin production], they also increase the amount of insulin.” López also notes that agavins can keep you feeling fuller for longer, too.To test their effects, López and her team of researchers fed a group of mice a normal diet with agavins added to their water each day. Through daily and weekly check-ins, they disocovered that most mice drinking agavins ate less, lost weight and had decreased blood glucose levels compared to when they consumed other types of sweeteners.Sounds like a good excuse to meet the girls for margaritas tonight, right? Not so fast. If you read the whole study, you’ll find that these benefits do not translate to the liquor bottle. Womp womp. During the tequila-making process, agavins are converted to ethanol, aka alcohol, leaving you with a boozy drink void of the magical weight loss sweetener.That’s not to say a shot of tequila a day won’t help keep the doctor away. In fact, enjoying one alcoholic drink each day, of any kind, is good for your heart. Glass half full right?

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