You might not think that alcohol – especially gin, the star of some of the booziest drinks – could possibly be good for you, but that’s where you’d be wrong. Here, we present our list of the top 10 health benefits of drinking gin. Check out part one of our list below, and stay tuned for part two, coming soon!
Number Ten: It Keeps You From Getting Sick. Juniper berries, the main ingredient in gin, are a powerful fruit and have myriad medicinal benefits. Juniper berries were once used as a topical antiseptic, and they can also help prevent and fight off lung congestion and coughing fits. The oils in the juniper berries are what help get rid of mucus buildups.
Number Nine: It Calms Achy Joints. It’s no secret that alcohol can be a great way to temporarily relieve pain, but with gin, it goes a little deeper. According to a prominent medical center, drinking the juniper-forward alcohol in moderation can help relieve pain associated with achy joints, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout. Some people even soak raisins in the alcohol to eat as a snack and to help with joint pain.
Number Eight: It Aids Indigestion. There are many herbs used in gin, and most of these herbs help with indigestion. The botanical herbs in gin help to increase your stomach’s secretion of acid and digestive enzymes, meaning that if there’s food in your stomach causing bloating or discomfort, it’ll be digested and out of there in no time.
Number Seven: It Prevents Malaria. Though this might not be super relevant if you’re in a country where malaria isn’t a problem, if you do happen to be in a country where malaria is a real possibility, try drinking a gin and tonic! The quinine in tonic was once used to prevent and cure malaria when other medications didn’t exist.
Number Six: It Detoxifies Your System. Though you might think of alcohol as a toxin, the juniper in gin helps to flush out other toxins in your body. Juniper is a natural diuretic, so it will prevent extra water retention, and it can also help with Urinary Tract Infections. Stay tuned for part two of our list of the top 10 health benefits of drinking gin, coming soon!