In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleSkinLongevityDigestionDiabetesNutrition Facts
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
Skin
Longevity
Digestion
Diabetes
Nutrition Facts
Here atEatingWell, if we’re going to have the occasional cocktail, it’s often one made with gin. Gin is super versatile and goes great with berries and soda water and is perfect for any season. And while drinking a gin and tonic may not protect you from illness, there are plenty of other reasons to allow yourself to enjoy a gin cocktail now and then if you choose.
Here are a few science-backed reasons to enjoy gin in moderation.
A 2018 study inIndustrial Crops and Productsfound that juniper berry essential oil may have some anti-aging properties, which can help keep wrinkles at bay. This explains why, according to a 2021 study inMolecules, essential oils from juniper berries are used in cosmetics.
Be careful if you’re drinking gin and tonics in the sun, though. Lime juice can irritate the skin in the bright sunshine, potentially causing a condition called phytophotodermatitis, per a 2023 case study in theJournal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
Pictured Recipe:The Bee’s Knees Cocktail
And a 2021 review inHindawistates that juniper essential oil shows powerful antioxidant and anti-free-radical activity in vitro (in a lab) and that juniper berries are often used to treat infections and boost the immune system in traditional Chinese medicine.
Not to mention, Julia Child was convinced gin was one of the secrets to longevity—and who are we to argue with that?
Gin is a popular aperitif(a drink served before a meal) in several cultures, which is believed to help prepare your digestive system for a meal. Indeed, drinking alcohol before a meal has been found to stimulate the appetite.
According to the same 2019 review inHeliyon, juniper berries have also been found to help with digestion. They may help relieve gas and heal ulcers, too.
Spirits like gin typically have no carbohydrates on their own, making them a better drink option forpeople living with diabetes.
Mixers matter to blood sugar levels. Gin is usually paired with tonic water, which has 32 grams of added sugar per 12 ounces, according to theUSDA. Opting for mixers with no added sugar, or diet mixers that use a sugar substitute, such as zero-sugar tonic water, can be a good option for people with diabetes.
Also, moderation is important for everyone but especially for those who have diabetes, as excess drinking can lead to hypoglycemia (or low blood sugar), per theAmerican Diabetes Association (ADA).
Gin Nutrition Information
Compared to other alcoholic beverages like beer and wine, one serving of gin is low in calories and carbs. On its own, it contains no added sugars. The nutrition for 1 shot of gin (1.5 fluid ounces) is as follows, per theUSDA:
The Bottom Line
To be clear, gin isn’t a miracle food, and any alcohol should be consumed in moderation—two drinks or less per day for men and one drink or less per day for women, per theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With that said, there are a few notable benefits from enjoying the juniper-flavored spirit.
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