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Tequila could help you lose weight, study claims

If you want to lose weight, any doctors or nutritionist will tell you to omit the alcohol from your diet, but a surprising study actually shows a link between drinking tequila and weight loss. This is huge news for anyone looking to shed some pounds in the New Year without totally suppressing their social life. According to the American Chemical Society, the effects of tequila on blood glucose levels and found that the sugars naturally occurring in the agave plant — the plant that gives us tequila —  can actually help lower blood sugar. These sugars — called agavins (not to be confused with agave syrup) — are not digestible and can act as dietary fiber, so they will not raise your blood sugar. According to Dr. Mercedes G. Lopez, agavins are the best sugars to support healthy growth of microbes in the mouth and intestines. The study looked at…

No more margaritas: why we might see a tequila shortage soon

All you margarita fans out there, let’s get serious. Experts are projecting a massive world-wide tequila shortage until 2021, and unfortunately, yes, your Friday night binges are partially to blame. According to Reuters, a shortage of the agave plant — the plant used to make the liquor — is the problem. The price of the the blue-tinged spikey-leaved succulent has increased six-fold in just two years, causing the price to jump from 3.85 pesos per kilo to 22. Agave plants normally take seven or eight years to reach maturity. The report states that only 17.7 million agaves were planted in 2011 — and 42 million are needed to supply the 140 registered tequila companies. This shortage is forcing farmers to harvest agaves that have not yet reached maturity — causing a downward spiral for several upcoming years. Tequila has gained popularity in recent years with total U.S. sales up 7.4 percent between 2015 and 2016. That amounts…

Multi-state Salmonella outbreak linked to papayas sickens more than 200

A recent string of salmonella outbreaks may bring an early end to tropical summer fruit salads. Federal officials verified they have linked four separate salmonella outbreaks — totaling 215 illnesses — in recent months to papayas imported from Mexico. The outbreaks were reported from 26 different states. The majority of the outbreaks were initially concentrated in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and the South with New Jersey, Virginia and Texas reporting the highest number of instances. The salmonella scare has since spread to Arizona, Colorado and California. One Californian recently died, bringing the death toll to two. The other, a New Yorker, died after contracting salmonella in July. One California-based producer, Bravo Produce, issued a papaya recall after investigators traced bacteria to shipments from Tijuana. As standard procedure and in accordance with confidentiality laws, the FDA wouldn’t release the names if the retailers who sold the problematic produce. Instead, consumers are left to check their…