Five good reasons to drink gin this January
If you’ve tried and failed at ‘Dry January’, we think you should be forgiven this year! Whilst we always recommend drinking alcohol in moderation, no one could blame you for turning to the gin bottle a little more often. With pubs and restaurants closed, and sales of takeaway alcohol banned amidst the latest lockdown, it’s no wonder we’re all drinking at home a bit more than we’d do usually. Instead of beating yourself up for not succeeding with a Dry January, why not embrace some of health benefits of one of the nation’s favourite tipples – gin. Although we're not endorsing the self-administration of gin instead of the usual medications prescribed for these issues, it's good to know that drinking alcohol doesn't have to be 100% naughty! We think you’ll love these fun facts we bet you didn’t know.
1. It’s a ‘super’ tonic : Juniper berries (the main ingredient of gin) are a super-fruit that contain a plethora of medicinal benefits. Used for centuries as a topical antiseptic, these little beauties can also help fight off coughs and lung congestion. The oils contained in juniper berries agitate bronchial passages and expel mucus.
2. Jolly good for joints :Try a tipple of gin if your joints are aching or if you suffer from arthritis. According to research gin helps to relieve the pain caused by achy joints, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, some arthritis sufferers even use gin-soaked raisins to reduce joint inflammation.
3. Keep calm and drink gin : Some people avoid gin due to its slightly bitter taste, but that lip-puckering flavour calms the digestive system. The herbs used to create gin can increase both stomach acid secretions and digestive enzymes; this increase in fluids necessary for breaking down ingested food allows for better digestion.
4. A good flush : If you're having issues with bloating, or urinary tract infections, gin may be able to help. Since juniper is a diuretic, it increases urine output and therefore stops water retention. In the case of UTIs, increased urine output often flushes out toxins and bacteria associated with the infection.
5. Herbs, herbs, and more herbs! : Herbal remedies and teas can work wonders, and the composition of gin makes it an excellent choice for those who seek a more "natural" alcohol. Made of juniper berries, coriander, cassia, nutmeg, sage, angelica root, and rosemary (among others), it's a smorgasbord of natural and nutritious herbs. In short, gin is probably the healthiest liquor on the market today. We think you’ll agree, there are definitely some health benefits to drinking gin. So, let’s queue up those gin and tonics or gin martinis, and drink to your health. Cheers!
Source: https://food-hacks.wonderhowto.com/how-to/10-reasons-why-drinking-gin-can-actually-be-good-for-you-0162670/