Tequila is quickly becoming one of the most popular types of liquor in the US, and more luxury brands are popping up every day. Some consumers consider tequila to be healthier than other types of liquor, given its purity and sourcing.
But is tequila actually healthy? How does its healthiness compare to other forms of liquor? And what's the healthiest tequila in the US market?
In this article we'll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze clinical studies on tequila to give our take on its healthiness compared to other forms of alcohol.
We'll explain what to look out for when choosing a healthy tequila, and give our pick for the healthiest tequila in the US.
Is Tequila Good for You?
Any form of alcohol can be healthy when consumed in moderation, in part because of its blood-thinning effects.
A medical review reported that alcohol light-to-moderate alcohol intake was associated with a reduced risk of heart attack and stroke. The study population was composed of beer-drinking men.
Consumption of one or two alcoholic drinks per day was associated with a 50% decreased risk of extensive arterial calcification in a medical review published in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal.
This tracks with anecdotal evidence: most people in "Blue Zones" (defined by relatively extreme longevity) consume moderate amounts of alcohol (source).
While moderate tequila intake may be fine for otherwise healthy people, we consider it less healthy than antioxidant-rich forms of alcohol like beer and wine which are less processed.
One of the few clinical trials we could identify on the health effects of tequila consumption found that 30 milliliters (less than one standard shot) of consumption per day increased homeocysteine levels (a marker for inflammation) and had negative impacts on insulin sensitivity.
What to Look For in a Healthy Tequila
Glass bottling is one of the most important factors for the healthiness of tequila.
Microplastics and estrogen-mimicking chemicals can leach from plastic bottles into the liquid, as we discussed in our best water filter article, and this effect is even stronger with low-pH drinks like alcohol.
Unprocessed, nutritious flavoring additives is the second most important factor.
Since tequila itself is highly processed and essentially devoid of nutrition, a flavored tequila made by adding in lime and tangerines, for example, would be healthier.
This flavored tequila would be more nutritious, and the antioxidant effect of the whole fruits may negate the pro-inflammatory effects of plain tequila cited in the previous clinical trial.
Organic status is the third criteria we recommend looking for in a healthy tequila.
Tequila is made from the agave plant, and organic produce (and its derivatives) are lower in pesticide residue than conventional produce, according to a systematic review published in the Nutrients journal.
Our Healthy Tequila Pick
Anejo Organic Respasado is our healthy tequila pick.
This brand uses glass bottles, is certified organic, and has a smooth and clean finish.
Tequila usually contains no additives like fruit juice, but margarita mix does.
Tres Agaves Organic Margarita Mix is our top healthy margarita mix.
It's sweetened with organic agave nectar, and flavored with organic lime juice.
Tequila vs. Other Drinks
Here's how the healthiness of tequila stacks up to other alcoholic beverages in our opinion:
Beer
Moderate consumption of beer is "associated with good physical and mental health" according to a 2023 medical review. It's relatively rich in selenium and B-vitamins.
Winner: Beer
Wine
Arguably the healthiest alcoholic beverage (red wine in particular), moderate wine consumption is clinically shown to be associated with significant reductions in cardiovascular mortality rates (as we documented in our Gratsi review).
Winner: Wine
Vodka
Like tequila, this drink is highly processed and essentially devoid of nutrients present the plant matter used to create it.
Winner: Tie
