The Benefits of Gin

New year, new you? Well, how about the benefits of gin?

We are all doing it, or at least have thought about it. After feeling the effects of the season of indulgence you’ve promised yourself (and your body) its time for a little detox. However as well intentioned as it sounds, it can be difficult to stick to a diet, find time to do some more exercise and reduce your alcohol consumption. Ok, so instead of trying to do all three why not give yourself a little leeway by swapping your typical sip such as beer or wine to gin? If I have your curiosity tingling, read on to consider the benefits of gin. But the ‘benefits of gin’ sounds counterintuitive right, I hear ya, but hear me out. There are many benefits of gin that you can take advantage of which might just convince you to keep to that detox a little longer… 

Low Calorie Option

Gin is of course low in calories and low in sugar – yep, at the start of the year when calorie counting is at its most popular, an easy solution is swapping that pint of beer (typically more than 200 calories) for a glass of gin (less than 100). As well as the low-calorie count, you’ll also find that gin only has traces of sugar, that said, this will all depend on the mixer of course so choose wisely! So, that’s less calories and less sugar than your typical alcoholic beverage. Already that’s an improvement on your detox regime

Other benefits?

Well everyone sort of knows that, but what else does gin offer I hear you ask? Ok, well it can reduce hay fever and bloating. If, like me, you find yourself dreaming of the Caribbean whilst you’re sitting at your desk on a grey February day but then bam, reality kicks in and remember the hay fever that plagues your weekends or the bloating that ruins the barbeques. But wait, here’s another benefit of gin! Typically drinks like beer and cider have a higher histamine content compared to clear spirits like gin therefore reducing the effects of hay fever. Gin can also reduce bloating due to the natural ingredients made with gin. Firstly, the natural herbs are historically known to aid digestion and secondly juniper berries act as diuretic which combine to keep your beach bod intact for that late-night skinny dip!

More benefits?

Surely there’s not much more convincing needed to give gin a go, but if you’re still on the fence I think these benefits of gin will tipple you over the edge. It can reduce wrinkles and make you live longer. Yep you heard that right, again we have the superfood juniper berries to thank, as they are packed full of antioxidants which promote the appearance of youthful looking skin and therefore can help keep those wrinkles at bay. Wait, I heard you say live longer?! I did, a Canadian study found that ‘moderate consumption of alcoholic drinks seems to reduce the risks of developing cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cataracts’ on top of the alcohol, ingredients of gin, specifically Blue Light Caribbean Gin, contains flavonoids and carotenoids in the juniper berries (yep, these guys again) and the citrus fruit extracts which help prevent clogged arteries and strengthening the connective tissue in veins. So there is some truth when Sir Winston Churchill said ‘the gin and tonic has saved more Englishmen’s lives, and minds, than all the doctors in the Empire’. 

Guest post by Lewis Evans