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Tonic water

Generality

Tonic water (in English tonic water or indian tonic water ) is a carbonated beverage characterized by the presence of quinine (or quinine). The latter is an alkaloid organized in white crystals and having properties: antipyretic (which prevent fever), anti-inflammatory (which fight inflammation), analgesics (painkillers), antimalarials (against malaria) and bittering (which give the bitter taste ).

The original tonic water contained only carbonated water and a high level of quinine, and was used as a medicine in the prophylaxis against malaria.

On the contrary, today's drink has a lower content of quinine and is often sweetened with a syrup based on glucides (glucose, fructose, sucrose). Some brands have proposed a light (slim-line) version which involves the replacement of the syrup with alternative sweetening agents (eg aspartame).

Tonic water in traditional style, therefore with more quinine and without sugar, is less widespread.

Chinine and Salute

The content of quinine in commercial tonic water is perfectly within the pharmacological safety doses. However, as with many other beverages or foods, the suitability or otherwise of trade is estimated on the "reasonable" use of a single product and does not take into account either the excess food (from the single or multiple foods / drinks), nor the so-called off-label.

The US " Food and Drug Administration " (FDA) limits the quinine fraction in tonic water to 83 parts per million, or 83mg / kg of drink.

Keep in mind that the daily "therapeutic" dose against malaria is in the range of 500-1000mg (or 10 mg / kg of body weight) to be taken every eight hours; for an adult of 70kg, corresponds to about 2100mg of quinine per day.

Quinine is also considered a remedy for leg cramps but, due to the risks associated with its consumption, the FDA suggests using it with great care and avoiding a possible cumulative intake.

In fact, being a potentially toxic alkaloid, the excess of quinine can determine: vomiting, diarrhea, visual and auditory disorders; sometimes, hearing impairments do not disappear even after the suspension of the active ingredient.

The pharmacological use of quinine (drug) is strictly prohibited in conditions of pregnancy and lactation, since the harmful dose for the fetus or newborn (probably even more dangerous) is lower than that for the adult.

A similar argument can be made for those suffering from liver and / or kidney diseases, since the liver and kidneys are responsible for metabolism and the disposal of the molecule; with insufficient or incorrect operation, it increases the risk of accumulation and the toxic power is emphasized.

Nutritional Features

Tonic water is a sweet drink based on water and simple carbohydrates; it is also considered an empty drink, since it does not contain other nutritional elements or nutrients in significant quantities (salts, vitamins, proteins, fats, fibers, etc.).

Nutritional composition for 100g of tonic water

Nutritional values

Chemical compositionValue for 100g
Edible part100%
water91, 1g
Protein0.0g
Limiting Amino Acid-
Total lipids0.0g
Saturated fatty acids0.0g
Monounsaturated fatty acids0.0g
Polyunsaturated fatty acids0.0g
Cholesterol0, 0mg
Carbohydrates available8, 8g
Starch0.0g
Soluble sugars8, 8g
Total fiber0.0g
Soluble fiber0.0g
Insoluble fiber0.0g
Phytic acid- g
Alcohol0.0g
Power34, 0kcal
Sodium12, 0mg
Potassium0, 0mg
Iron0, 0mg
Football33, 0mg
Phosphorus0, 0mg
Magnesium- mg
Zinc0.1mg
Copper- mg
Selenium- µg
Thiamine0, 0mg
Riboflavin0, 0mg
Niacin0, 0mg
Vitamin A retinol eq.0, 0μg
C vitamin0, 0mg
Vitamin E0, 0mg

The average portion of tonic water is 150-250ml / day, although it varies according to the diet in which it is contextualized. Even taking into consideration the sports nutrition (more energetic than the others) it is always good not to exceed, since the sugars that characterize it unnecessarily increase the caloric intake of the diet. Remember that simple carbohydrates should come almost exclusively from fruit, vegetables and milk (which provide many other important nutrients) and only marginally from sweetened products.

Tonic water is a sugary drink to be avoided in case of hyperglycemia (or overt type 2 diabetes mellitus), hypertriglyceridemia and overweight; remember that excess sugar can seriously harm the health of teeth. However, in these cases the additive-sweetened version can be used (within the limits of reason).

Tonic water is considered a safe drink, even if its quinine content makes it a product to be used with caution (see above).

uses

Tonic water is often used as a basic ingredient for cocktails, especially those made with gin or vodka (for example, gin and tonic or vodka tonic).

Tonic water with lemon or lime is called "bitter lemon" and "bitter lime", a famous drink in Europe but not so much in the rest of the world.

Background

Tonic water takes its name from the medicinal effects of quinine.

Discovered in the nineteenth century and destined for consumption by the African and South Asian populations (where malaria is endemic), the quinine powder mixed with water was so bitter that British officials (in India) began to mix it with soda and sugar.

The first commercial tonic water was distributed in 1858 and, shortly afterwards, also in British colonial India, the first alcoholic cocktail was also born: gin and tonic.

Since 2010, in the United States at least four "tonic syrups" have been placed on the market to be diluted manually with carbonated water, which give the consumer the possibility of obtaining a variable concentration drink.

Gin Tonic

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Curiosity

Due to the significant presence of quinine, tonic water is a drink that becomes fluorescent under UV rays; the photo-sensitivity of quinine is such that it appears visibly fluorescent even after a brief direct sun exposure.