Compared to wine and beer, gin has a very low number of polyphenols (plant nutrients with antioxidant properties). These non-alcoholic components appear to be partly responsible for the various health benefits associated with alcohol. Red wine is packed with polyphenols, so consider swapping your gin and tonic for a glass of red wine. While a late-night gin martini may improve heart health, a gin and tonic may not, because of the added sugar.
Because excessive sugar consumption has been linked to heart disease, you'll want to avoid adding any sweet whisk to your gin measurement if you decide to drink gin every night. Gin is made from juniper berries, small dark purple nuggets with supernutritional powers. These berries can help fight infections and prevent heart disease, improve blood circulation, and even help fight kidney and liver disease. Being rich in antioxidants, gin can help more than just your skin.
Some studies show that the anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties of juniper berries can improve health and potentially lead to a longer life by improving blood flow and removing toxins from the blood. Not to mention that Julia Child was convinced that gin was one of the secrets of longevity, and who are we to discuss it? Raisins soaked in gin are especially good to prepare, since you can store them in a jar and eat them daily to see their benefits. It's for this reason that some people even suggest that gin may help extend its shelf life, and we'll definitely applaud that. So, if you find that alcohol often bloates you up, switching to gin will give you a much flatter stomach than your usual drink and will help reduce swelling (opens in a new tab).
Gin also contains aromas of chamomile and tea tree, with a spicy touch consisting of nettle, witch hazel and centella asiatica that complements a classic base of juniper, coriander and angelica root with a cardamom finish. Instead of pouring yourself a glass, try soaking a jar of raisins in gin and chopping one or two each time you get joint pain. Gin may be the base for some delicious low-calorie cocktail concoctions, but you should pay attention to the type of gin you order, especially if you want to maintain or lose weight. The word “gin” actually derives from the older English word genever and from the Latin word for juniper, juniperus.
When Julia Child, who lived until she was 91, was asked what the secret of her longevity was, she answered: Red meat and gin. To be classified as a London Dry Gin, the distillery cannot add any artificial flavoring or additive after distillation. This berry native to Scotland's rugged landscape fights infections thanks to its high levels of vitamin C and flavonoids, a group of plant chemicals found in almost all vegetables and fruits. It may not be the most obvious remedy for hay fever (opens in a new tab), but according to Asthma UK (opens in a new tab), switching to gin in the summer months could help calm coughs and sneezes.
The histamines in cider, beer and wine are thought to increase hay fever, so switching to a clear liquor, such as gin, may reduce sneezing and itchy eyes. Many people already know that the antioxidants in berries can help skin look healthier, but most don't immediately think of these same antioxidants in the form of gin.
