Scientists from the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the University of Reading and report that inulin extracted from Agave tequilana boosted the numbers of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli to a similar extent to other commercial inulins.

“This is the first study reporting of a potential prebiotic mode of activity for Agave fructans investigated which significantly increased populations of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli compared to cellulose used as a control,” wrote the researchers.

The study supports findings from the archaeological record, as highlighted by a recent report by archaeologist Jeff Leach, head of the Paleobiotics Lab in New Orleans, and Kristin Sobolik from the University of Maine.