Are you infected by malaria disease and want to cure it? Many people suggested drinking tonic water. But what is tonic water? Here is a quick answer.
Tonic water is a carbonated drink used in cocktails or mixed beverages, especially the most common combination with gin and tonic. It provides a bitter and distinctive flavor due to its quinine compound. Quinine is derived from the bark of a cinchona tree which works as a medicine for malaria infections.
Quinine is safe to drink when found in small doses in tonic water. However, there are minimum health and nutrition benefits available for tonic water. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that tonic water that contains no more than 83 parts per million of quinine is allowed; there are some severe side effects as well.
Let’s explore tonic water’s benefits and side effects and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Overview of Tonic Water
A carbonated drink that is well-known for its quinine ingredient. But, what is quinine in tonic water? Quinine is sourced from the bark of Cinchona trees, native to Central America and cultivated in Indonesia, the Caribbean Island, and Africa.
It was initially used as a medicine against Malaria, but nowadays, tonic water has lower quinine content and is consumed for its distinctive bitter flavor.
Benefits Of Drinking Quinine Tonic Water
Here are some benefits of drinking quinine tonic water. Let’s have a look below.
1. Quinine Cure Malaria Disease
Quinine is a compound found in tonic water, which comes from the bark of the cinchona tree and is available in central and South America, a few parts of the Caribbean Islands, and West Africa.
Quinine compound has numerous benefits in terms of medication, especially in curing Malaria. It is consumed in small amounts for diagnosing and treating Malaria in tropical regions.
2. Serves as a Healer for Leg Cramps
Due to disturbances in the circulatory and nervous systems, you get severe leg cramps and restless legs. Quinine compounds work as a healer to your leg cramps. However, no scientific or proven evidence is available to support this statement.
Moreover, many consumers benefit from tonic water consumption while healing from leg restless syndrome.
3. Cure Muscle Spasms
Quinine tonic water also reduces muscle spasms and helps the patient recover swiftly. Therefore, it must be your go-to water source in your life.
Moreover, tonic water not only cures muscle spasms but also rescues tight or sore muscles. Remember that tonic water is not medicated for diseases, but the quinine compound in tonic water has medical properties and heals your body magically.
4. Reduces the Stress Bundle
Tonic water contains high sugar content and high calories. Tonic water will help you whenever you want high-calorie consumption. In this way, tonic water will help you in times of stress. However, it will increase your weight due to its high sugar and calorie content.
5. Rehabilitate Speedy Recovery
Being athletes or sportsmen, you lose a lot of water and calories during your exercise matches or games. Here comes the tonic water that works wonderfully and swiftly recovers your losing calories in just one bottle.
Since your body requires high-calorie content and water after a workout, tonic water is a perfect mixture that fulfills your requirements.
6. Recover from Alcohol Consumption
Tonic water is a great substitute for alcohol, offering sweetness and a robust, effervescent carbonated drink. If you’re an alcoholic addict, tonic water is the best choice that helps you reduce your alcohol consumption and gives you a refreshing day after a stressful workout.
7. Boost Energy Level
If you feel tired after a hectic workout routine and feel so feeble, then tonic water is a perfect rescuer for your situation. It boosts your energy level and makes you active and zestful throughout the day.
Side Effects of Tonic Water You Must Be Aware
Quinine in tonic water is diluted enough and causes some severe side effects to your body. This may include:
- Nausea
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Ringing in the ears
- Confusion
- Nervousness
These are the most common side effects that will be used for quinine consumption. However, there are risks and potential drawbacks, too. Those may include:
- Bleeding problems
- Kidney damage
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Severe allergic reaction
| Note: Remember that these reactions are linked with quinine dosage. You need to drink at least two liters of tonic water per day to fulfill the quinine dose requirement in the form of a pill. |
Moreover, the National Library of Medicine, an official site of the United States Government, stated that the significant drawbacks of quinine consumption lead to disseminated intravascular coagulation.
They further highlighted a case of a 35-year-old man who suffers from disseminated intravascular coagulation disease due to excessive intake of tonic water. An old man’s friend suggested to him that tonic water would heal his nighttime leg cramping. Hence, he was diagnosed with a disseminated intravascular coagulation problem.
Is Tonic Water Good for You?
It depends on individual needs and preferences. It is suitable for those who require high calories in their body. For instance, an athlete or sportsman. On the other hand, it gains weight due to high-calorie content and thus leads to diabetes.
Furthermore, quinine is the main Compound in tonic water, which works as a fighter against malaria disease and boosts your energy level.
However, quinine is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating malaria, with a warning against using quinine as a healer of nighttime leg cramps because it triggers heart rhythm disturbances and increases bleeding problems.
Moreover, excessive intake of tonic water will also lead to severe harmful diseases, including disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), kidney damage, and severe allergic reactions.
Therefore, it’s better to consult a doctor and examine your body’s requirements before consuming tonic water.
How Much Tonic Water Should I Drink Per Day?
No accurate amount is suggested to drink tonic water. However, Deb Mills, medical director of the Travel Doctor, said that you drink 67 liters of tonic water per day to prevent any health disease. An eight-ounce glass of tonic water contains 20 mg of quinine compound.
Therefore, You can take 3 glasses of tonic water daily, even if you’re sensitive to quinine consumption. Men should consume 125 ounces (3.7 liters) of water daily, while women should take 91 ounces (2.7 liters), including their water consumption from food.
What is Diet Tonic Water Good for?
Tonic water does not possess numerous proven nutritional benefits. However, diet tonic is a healthier alternative than sugary sodas or tonic water, which is sugar-free, calorie-free, and low on additives.
Moreover, diet tonic water is an excellent substitute for alcohol as it cuts down your alcohol consumption and reduces your sugar intake. No evidence supports that tonic water will help with nighttime leg cramps and restless legs syndrome.
However, under the scorching heat waves, a natural diet of tonic water refreshes your day without any harm.
Who Must Avoid Quinine Tonic Water?
If you have had a bad reaction or are allergic to tonic water in the past, you shouldn’t drink it again. Moreover, look at some guidelines over the benefits of quinine tonic water.
You must avoid tonic water if:
- You suffer from abnormal heart rhythm and prolonged QT interval issues.
- You have a low blood sugar level because quinine will drop your sugar level more, so it’s better to avoid it.
- You are suffering from kidney and liver problems.
- It is not recommended for a pregnant or expectant mother.
- If you’re taking medicines for blood thinners, antidepressants, antibiotics, antacids, statins, or any other medications, then you should ask your doctor before consuming quinine water for better health.
Final Verdict
According to the forecast report, the size of the tonic water market is estimated to be 1.29 billion USD in 2024. It is expected to approach USD 1.85 billion by the end of 2029, increasing at a Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.45% from 2024 to 2029.
Tonic water initially served as a medicine against Malaria, but quinine consumption is now low and is consumed for its distinctive bitter flavor. It was used in alcoholic drinks, especially in gin.
However, you can now find tonic water as regular water with low quinine levels and delicious flavors. The market player keeps innovating tonic water with low quinine and corn syrup with high fructose sugar.
Remember to avoid high consumption of tonic water in your routine and must consult your doctor.
