On the surface, tonic-based drinks sound relatively healthy.
(You know, as far as something with booze in it goes.)
Plus, doesnt the word tonic imply that its some sort of healthy elixir, anyway?
What exactly is tonic water anyway?
Lets delve into the ingredients (and, no, its notjustwater).
What is quinine?
registered dietitian nutritionist based in New York
Never heard of quinine?
Its a bitter compound thats sourced from cinchona tree bark.
Cinchona trees are primarily grown in the Caribbean, South America, Central America, and parts of Africa.
Originally,quinine was used in these regions medicinally as a way to fight malaria.
But its bitter taste is what made it a popular ingredient for tonic.
However, its important to note that some folks may experienceallergic reactions when consuming quinine.
Additionally, it may also interact with certain medications.
Sparkling water is simply carbonated water.
If the carbonation is naturally occurring, its sparkling water.
registered dietitian nutritionist based in New York
If the carbonation is artificial,its technically seltzer.
Although it sounds like water, tonic water actually contains a decent amount of sugar.
One serving11 fluid ouncesof tonic water contains30 grams of sugar.
What are the pros and cons of drinking tonic water?
I dont recommend choosing beverages with added sugar to meet your daily hydration quota, she says.
Basically, tonic watershouldntbe used as a water alternative.
Again, one serving of tonic water exceeds the amount of added sugar recommended for the whole day.
That said, there are also diet tonic waters on the market that useartificial sweetenerssuch as aspartame or saccharin.
Unfortunately, Amer notes these ingredients come with their own set of potential side effects.
Like sugar, consuming high-fructose corn syrup regularly is linked tometabolism issues3.
There are also important risks associated with consuming too much tonic water regularly.
In fact, consuming too much quinine can have the opposite effect.
However, Amer says, like almost everything in life, it can still be enjoyed in moderation.
So if gin and tonics are your drink of choice, go for it.
Ultimately, its all about finding the right balance, fam.
Discover a registered dietitians top foods for maintaining hydration:
Azeez, Omar Hasan et al.
9 Oct. 2019, doi:10.3390/medicina55100681
Landrigan, Philip J, and Kurt Straif.
Aspartame and cancer new evidence for causation.
Environmental health : a global access science source vol.
88,6 (2008): 1716S-1721S.
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