Why Gin Might Be The Best Liquor For Boosting Blood Flow
Tom Collins. Aviation. French 75. Negroni. And of course, the gin and tonic. The clear, herbaceous, kind-of-tastes-like-a-Christmas-tree liquor we all know as gin is the star of many classic and classy cocktails. But it turns out that gin, whether you prefer top shelf or the super affordable kind, might do more for us than provide for balanced and refreshing imbibing.
Today, it's widely known that alcohol is generally harmful to the liver and excessive drinking can contribute to a slew of diseases and health risks. So we won't go so far as to say that any type of alcohol is healthy. But there are certainly some spirits that are better for you than others, and some that — when consumed in moderation — can even have positive effects on the body.
One of those "better for you" spirits? You guessed it. Let's dive into gin's specific health benefits and why it might be a smarter choice for your next cocktail.
It all starts with the juniper berry
When it comes to any health benefits that gin can offer, it's all about the juniper berry — one of the main ingredients in gin that's responsible for the spirit's distinctive flavor. The berries of a juniper tree have a strong flavor similar to pine (which explains the whole Christmas tree thing).
But juniper berries don't just work well in fun botanical cocktails; they were first concocted into a liquor because they work well to remedy all sorts of ailments. According to Britannica, gin was originally created as a sort of health tonic, invented in the 17th century when a professor in Holland created a distilled liquor out of juniper berries and spirits for medicinal use.
These little blueberry-looking balls are bursting with health benefits thanks to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties (per Healthline). The gin we drink in our gimlets and martinis carries some of those benefits over when sipped responsibly.
How gin benefits your blood flow
Juniper berries, like many other plant products and fruits, contain flavonoids. As the Evening Standard notes, these flavonoids promote blood circulation, especially as you age, which can lead to greater longevity. And on top of that, the superfood helps eliminate toxins and bacteria from the body, not only improving your blood flow but cleansing it as well.
While the aiding of good blood circulation is one of the many benefits of juniper berries — the Evening Standard also calls out skin cell regeneration, infection-fighting qualities, and heart disease prevention. That's because good blood circulation, which essentially brings our cells everything they need and eliminates anything they don't, is paramount to our overall health and optimal body function.
In short: Juniper berries equal improved blood flow and detoxification, and gin is made from juniper berries. Pair this with a citrusy lime for extra vitamin C and we will cheers to better health.