(Technically, this makes tequila a key in of mezcal.)
The spirits are distilled differently and produced in different regions of Mexico.
Most importantly, mezcal mustbe 100 percent agave, while tequila only needs tocontain 51 percent agave.
It’s mezcal’s purity that has earned it a reputation as a “healthy” alcohol.
But does mezcal deserve all the hype?
How would drinking mezcal every night affect your body and mind?
It’s the caterpillar form of a species of moth that lives in agave plants.
Despite its reputation,it doesn’t have any hallucinogenic properties.
However, it does affect the mezcal’s flavor profile.
The worm gives it flavor, he shared.
“It has an aroma and a flavor that people like.”
According toTaste Atlas, these caterpillars are a great source of protein and have a taste similar topork rinds.
Agave and thus the mezcal produced from it hasa number of terpenes.
But what exactly are terpenes?
According toMedical News Today, they’re a large group of aromatic compounds that give plants their distinctive smell.
If you drink mezcal every night, will the drink expose you to cancer-causing chemicals?
Individuals are exposed to ethyl carbamate largely through drinking alcoholic beverages.
Luckily, the levels of ethyl carbamate in mezcal don’t appear to be dangerously high.
It’s still unclear if the limonene found in mezcal would have the same effect in humans.
So, choosing to drink mezcal every night in moderation may be something to consider.
It would be great if it did because stress is a problem many Americans grapple with every day.
Citronellol is a terpene found in agave, as well as many other plants.
These atoms are very chemically unstable and will essentially steal electrons from cells in the body.
Over time, this damages the cells in a process called oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress has been linked to the aging process and a number of chronic diseases and conditions.
Buteugenol, a terpene found in mezcal, could help combat the damage brought on by free radicals.
Can your decision to drink mezcal every night help fight inflammation?
Unfortunately, the jury’s still out when it comes to mezcal and inflammation.
Farnesol, a terpene in mezcal, may have anti-inflammatory properties, according to a 2018paperpublished in the journalMolecules.
And that’s bad news for your kidneys.
Oxalatesare tiny molecules found in many nuts, seeds, and edible plants.
They create crystals by binding calcium and other minerals together.
They can lead to kidney stones, which can be extremely painful and may require medical intervention to remove.
So it’s best to stick with an alcohol that’s naturally gluten-free, like mezcal.
You could probably add a couple of cocktail ingredients to your list offoods you didn’t know contain gluten.
“Many alcohols have a ton of sugar and other chemicals.
My brand has absolutely nothing but organic agave and water,” Jimenez shared.
Your body just recognizes the difference."
The fact that mezcal is a clear spirit also plays a role.
According to theMayo Clinic, congeners are compounds that increase the likelihood and severity of a hangover.
While they’re found in all alcoholic beverages, dark liquors have higher concentrations of congeners than clear spirits.
Curious about why you sometimes feel awful the morning after drinking?
Learnwhat happens to your body when you have a hangover.
