Tequila has long been associated with wild parties, but recent trends have recast it as a “healthier” choice at the bar—low-calorie, additive-free, and supposedly easier on the body. But does science support this image?
Myth 1: Tequila Makes You Drunker
All alcoholic drinks contain roughly the same ethanol content in standard servings—whether it’s 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of tequila. How quickly you feel intoxicated depends more on factors like body weight, genetics, age, gender, medications, and whether you’ve eaten. Pour size and drinking speed often influence perception more than the type of alcohol.
Myth 2: Tequila Prevents Hangovers
While darker liquors can worsen hangovers due to congeners, no alcohol is truly hangover-proof. Alcohol dehydrates, disrupts sleep, and produces acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct that triggers inflammation and fatigue. Tequila doesn’t provide an exception.
Myth 3: Tequila and Wine Offer Health Benefits
The idea that tequila benefits health comes from agavins in the blue agave plant, which act as dietary fiber. However, fermentation and distillation convert these compounds to ethanol, leaving no residual health benefits. Similarly, antioxidants in wine exist in very low concentrations, making any potential benefits negligible.
Myth 4: Vodka, Gin, and Tequila Are “Clean”
Marketing may label spirits as “clean” due to natural ingredients or distillation, but the term has no regulated meaning. Regardless of type, ethanol affects the liver, brain, and cardiovascular system.
Myth 5: Beer Is Safer Than Hard Liquor
Beer and wine might seem milder due to slower absorption and higher water content, but alcohol’s harmful effects remain. Carbonation and drink temperature can accelerate ethanol absorption, sometimes increasing intoxication.
Conclusion: No Alcohol Is Truly Healthier
Research confirms that all alcohol carries risks. Even moderate drinking increases disease and mortality risk, regardless of beverage type. Ultimately, the healthiest approach is to consume alcohol sparingly or not at all.
