Why gin is good

The idea that tonic water is good for you probably comes from its 19th century origins, when it was used as a medicine to treat malaria. In fact, it's thought that gin and tonic was invented by British soldiers in India as a way to make the bitter tonic taste better.

The ingredient responsible is quinine and you'll still find very small amounts of it in tonic today. However, medicine has long since moved on to options that cause fewer side effects that quinine - although, until surprisingly recently, it was used to treat leg cramps. It's also important to consider the sugar content of tonic water. While it may be lower in sugar than cola or lemonade, that isn't the same as sugar-free. In fact, a large bottle of tonic water can contain up to 30g, so you might want to consider a sugar-free or slimline tonic instead.

We've seen how gin can have some benefit for your health. Of course, that doesn't mean you should drink it every day. It hardly needs saying, but we'll say it anyway.

Any of these benefits only apply if you drink gin in moderation. That means staying within the weekly limit of 14 units. Luckily, the maths is pretty easy here. One measure of gin contains around one unit of alcohol, so it's easy to keep track.

How it works. What we treat. Skin conditions. Mental health. Juniper berries and plant botanicals have essential oils give well-made gin its classic smooth texture. The berries in gin act as a natural medicine that contains some antioxidants, and anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties.

Gin Can also be combined with various herbs and ginger to get you through that sore throat. Juniper berries are also loaded with the same antioxidants that promote the regeneration of cells within your body.

Gin could help fight bloating and urinary tract infections. This is because juniper berries are a diuretic, and it increases your trips to the bathroom and, in effect, prevent water retention. It might not be the most obvious hay fever remedy , but according to Asthma UK , switching to gin in the summer months could help to soothe your coughs and sneezes.

The theory is that drinks like beer and cider have a higher histamine content due to their fermentation process, often making hay fever symptoms worse.

So opting for clear spirits like gin instead can, in a roundabout way, curb them. Some people making an active effort to lose weight often stop drinking alcohol due to its high calorie content. But gin is one of the least calorific spirits you can choose, with a mere 97 calories per shot.

According to Livestrong, gin is one of the least calorific spirits with 97 calories per shot. The juniper berries come into action by increasing the number of enzymes that break down your food and helping your digestion. This also means less bloating. Drinking gin can speed up drinkers metabolisms and help burn calories more efficiently, according to a study at the University of Sigulda in Latvia.

Try our range of tonics and sodas. You guessed it. Juniper berries. They contain flavonoids which are great for preventing heart disease and improving your blood circulation as you get older. Although, of course, excessive drinking could have the opposite effect.

Check out our range of garnishes and botanicals.