For decades, we’ve been told that alcohol and health don’t mix so well. Everyone knows that alcohol consumption can cause major health problems, including cirrhosis of the liver, cardiovascular disease, dementia, cancer, and pancreatitis. However, when talking about the health risks of alcohol, most people refer to hard liquor. Red wine or gin are completely different stories – they can even be healthy, of course, only when they’re consumed in moderation. The benefits of drinking gin are plenty, so let’s go through some of them.
Why Drinking Gin Can Be Good for You
Gin dates back to the Middle Ages when it was mainly used as herbal medicine. Gin is a spirit made from juniper berries, superfoods that are considered to be very good for our health. Juniper berries can help prevent heart disease, fight infection, prevent liver and kidney disease, and improve blood circulation. Thanks to its natural ingredients like juniper, coriander, sage, rosemary, angelica root, and nutmeg – a glass of gin comes loaded with antioxidants and healthy benefits. The name gin is derived from either the French word genièvre or the Dutch word jenever, which both mean “juniper”. Today, gin is one of the most popular spirits in the world, and thanks to its medicinal properties, it’s also one of the healthiest. Let’s take a look at some of the surprising health benefits of gin!
It’s Natural Remedy for Arthritis
Gin can help you if you’re suffering from joint problems because it fights inflammation and strengthens bones. Arthritis sufferers have been eating raisins soaked in gin for years, in order to ease their aching joints and reduce inflammation. This is a popular and effective folk remedy for chronic pain and arthritis – just soak a handful of raisins in a bowl full of gin, let it evaporate, store them in a jar and eat up to nine raisins a day.
Juniper Berries are Packed with Health Benefits
The main ingredient in gin is juniper berries. They are known for being very healthy and taken by many people as a daily supplement. They are rich in vitamin C and fortifying antioxidants. Juniper berries fight infection, bad coughs, flu, lung congestion, and renal insufficiency. As a medicinal herb, juniper can also ease water retention and prevent urinary tract infections as well as bloating.
Keeps Your Skin Healthy and Smooth
Gin could help keep your skin healthy,smooth, and young. Even though we all know that alcohol is bad for the body because it dehydrates the skin, juniper berries actually contain vitamins, antioxidants, and flavonoids that can give your skin a healthy boost. Juniper berries can improve the condition of your skin by smoothing wrinkles and fine lines, as well as promoting healthy cell growth.
It’s a Low-Calorie Spirit
If you’re trying to watch your calorie intake, gin is probably one of the healthiest options available. It’s a low-calorie spirit, so you don’t need to worry because it won’t ruin your waistline. Gin is one of the lowest calorie spirits around and has only 97 calories per glass. Gin is made from healthy juniper berries which contain digestive enzymes that can break down food, help digestion and thus prevent bloating. However, be careful because mixing gin with tonic or other alcoholic beverages will add extra calories to your drink.
It Fights Kidney and Liver Disease
Gin is one of the most effective natural remedies for liver and kidney diseases. The main ingredient in gin, juniper berry helps stop water retention in your body and allows you to pass more water than any other alcoholic beverage. This means that gin helps you to purify your body and get rid of all dangerous toxins and bacteria by flushing them out of your system.
It Can Help Fight Off Coughs
Juniper berries contain oils that can alleviate coughs by aiding lung congestion and expelling the mucus in the throat. One of the best things about this spirit is that it can be mixed with many different ingredients and herbs such as ginger, which can soothe your irritated throat.
It Can Help Prevent Malaria
Mixing gin with tonic adds an extra quinine boost that can help to fight off malaria. Quinine is actually a medication to treat malaria and is used to make tonic water which was consumed by many people to stay healthy. The gin and tonic cocktail was invented by the British colonials who drank it religiously in order to prevent catching this horrible disease.
It Fights Cancer
Juniper berries are high in antioxidants which help to neutralize free radicals in your system. These antioxidant nutrients help protect your body against free radical damage which is responsible for cancer development. Studies have shown that gin contains many of the same powerful antioxidants that were found in kombucha tea, but tastes much better.
It Can Help You Live Longer
Juniper berries contain plenty of antioxidants and flavonoids which are great for preventing heart disease and improving blood circulation. This is what makes gin one of the healthiest alcoholic drinks that can actually help you live longer. Although, you should always keep in mind that excessive alcohol drinking could have a completely opposite effect.
