Are There Any Health Benefits to Using Quinine in Tonic Water to Treat Malaria?

While quinine has been used to treat malaria (it can destroy the bacterium that causes the illness), large doses of the chemical have been linked to severe consequences.

Soda water has made way for a new beverage that is frequently used to dilute vodka, gin, and other alcohol. It is also known as tonic water. Some folks may drink the drink straight without combining it with anything. The drink has a distinct bitter taste. Surprisingly, it is not well known that tonic water includes trace amounts of the medicinal medication quinine. Quinine has been used as a traditional malaria therapy for many years. Malaria is a potentially fatal disease spread by the anopheles mosquito. Fever, chills, and headaches are common symptoms.

The chemical quinine is derived from a branch of the cinchona tree, which is endemic to areas of South America and Africa. While quinine has been used as an analgesic,

Problems with quinine

Quinine is found in trace amounts in tonic water and is thus safe to consume. Because the chemical is sufficiently diluted in tonic water, any negative effects are unlikely. Quinine has been linked to some negative effects when taken in large doses as a prescription. A negative reaction might result in nausea, stomach cramps, ringing in the ears, disorientation, nervousness, and significant side effects such as blood issues, irregular heartbeat, and others.

It has been recommended that patients with irregular cardiac rhythms, pregnant women, and those with renal or liver illness avoid the medicine. The medication may potentially interact with other medications such as antidepressants, blood thinners, and some antibiotics.

According to one study, long-term exposure to quinine, even in tonic water, can raise a person’s risk of developing life-threatening diseases involving damage to important organs such as the liver, kidney, and blood-related conditions.

Is Tonic water healthy?

Tonic water, like soda water or sparkling water, is a carbonated beverage heavy in artificial sugar. Because quinine is such a small part of it, negative effects are unlikely, although it does greatly increase a person’s calorie consumption. Tonic water is becoming more popular as an independent beverage, but it is also commonly used as a mixing component with numerous alcohol. While it is safe to drink, there is no evidence that it has any health advantages or that it helps alleviate leg cramps or restless leg syndrome. Furthermore, the amount of quinine in the drink is low, implying that it has no medicinal benefits even if it is there.