Gin and tonic, a classic English cocktail favored particularly in the summer months, also carries significant health risks associated with the quinine in tonic water.
Gin and Tonic Origins
The tradition of drinking gin and tonic began in the 19th century among the British colonials in India. To combat malaria, British expatriates were given a daily allowance of quinine tonic, derived from the bark of the cinchona tree. To improve its bitter flavor, they mixed the quinine tonic with gin, along with sugar and lime. This concoction not only helped stave off malaria, but also became widely popular, both in the colonies and back home in Britain.
Quinine is still added to tonic water today, but in much smaller quantities. Nonetheless, it still has the potential to cause serious health conditions.
Thrombocytopenia (Low platelets)
I first learned about the dangers of tonic water from a colleague whose mother, in her 80s, had fallen ill. Her platelet count had plummeted to dangerously low levels, prompting specialists to run a series of tests. Nothing of import came from the tests and her doctors remained perplexed.
My colleague questioned his mom about her diet and discovered that some months back, her doctor advised she give up her longstanding habit of drinking a beer each afternoon. Since then, she started drinking one gin and tonic a day instead. This coincided with the onset of her health issues. My colleague advised his mom to quit the gin and tonic, and as a result, her platelets—and overall health—returned to normal.
Adverse effects of quinine include:
- tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- headache
- nausea
- dizziness
- disturbed vision
- gastrointestinal issues
- heart arrhythmias
- varied allergic reactions
- thrombocytopenia (low platelets)
In addition, most tonic water contains high fructose corn syrup, with about 1.5 tablespoons of sugar per 6 ounces. Many brands also include artificial sweeteners, artificial flavors, and preservatives.
Many health problems don’t need extensive testing and can be addressed by simply examining dietary habits