Quinine In Tonic Water: Safety, Side Effects, And Possible Benefits
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Medically reviewed by Kerry Boyle D.Ac., M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., CYT — Written by Jenna Fletcher — Updated on January 26, 2024- Uses
- Safety
- Benefits
- Side effects
- FAQ
- Summary
Tonic water is a soft drink containing quinine, which gives it a bitter taste. Quinine is a common treatment for malaria. Some people believe that it can also help with leg cramps and restless legs syndrome.
Quinine comes from the bark of the cinchona tree. This tree is native to central and South America, as well as some islands in the Caribbean and western parts of Africa.
People have consumed quinine in tonic water to help treat cases of malaria for centuries.
In this article, learn about what quinine is, its side effects, and possible benefits.
Quinine uses
Share on PinterestDoctors continue to use quinine as a part of malaria treatment. However, it is typically a second-line treatment option and may have adverse effects at therapeutic doses.
Researchers cite the poor tolerability of the drug and the risk of severe health consequences as reasons to limit regular medicinal use.
As a food additive, quinine offers a bitter taste. Manufacturers usually add small amounts to tonic water.
Some people use tonic water to help treat nighttime leg cramps, but further research is necessary to prove its effectiveness and weigh this against the risk of side effects.
Is quinine safe?
Experts consider quinine safe to consume in small doses. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved up to 83 parts per million in carbonated beverages.
The FDA also specifies that manufacturers must place quinine on the label for consumers to easily see.
Some people may experience allergic reactions to quinine. If this is the case, a person should avoid tonic water and any other products that contain quinine.
People who should avoid quinine in medications include:
- people who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- those with abnormal heart rhythms
- those with liver or kidney disease
- those with low blood sugar
Drug interactions
Some medications can interact with quinine. These may include:
- antidepressants
- antacids
- statins
- blood thinners
- neuromuscular-blocking drugs
- antibiotics
- seizure medication
The amount of quinine in tonic water is not likely to interact with a person’s medication or cause issues for people with the medical conditions listed above. However, people should speak with a doctor before taking medication or supplements containing quinine.
Why is quinine banned?
The FDA does not approve or recommend quinine as a treatment for certain health conditions, such as nocturnal leg cramps, due to the risk of adverse health complications, including:
- heart arrhythmias
- acute kidney injury
- tinnitus
- nausea and vomiting
Many unapproved products containing quinine do not state these risks in their safety information. However, the FDA approved three companies to use quinine in malaria treatments with a boxed safety warning.
Benefits of drinking tonic water
Tonic water may provide the following benefits:
- Some people believe tonic water helps with nocturnal leg cramps and restless legs syndrome.
- Some people will enjoy the flavor of tonic water.
- Drinking tonic water may help people stay hydrated.
Tonic water is a carbonated soft drink that may contain sugar and has little nutritional value. The quinine present in tonic water provides a distinctive bitter flavor.
While not dangerous, tonic water does not have any major benefits and could lead to an unnecessary increase in calorie consumption.
Side effects
Quinine is very diluted in tonic water. The likelihood of a person experiencing any side effects from drinking tonic water is slim. However, side effects of quinine can include:
- ringing in the ears
- vomiting
- stomach cramps
- nervousness
- nausea
- diarrhea
- confusion
As a medication, quinine may have more severe side effects. Some of the possible side effects of taking quinine as a medication include:
- abnormal heartbeat
- kidney damage
- severe allergic reaction
- electrolyte imbalance
- vision or eye issues
- problems with bleeding
- thrombocytopenia — decreased blood platelets
- lung toxicity
People who regularly drink tonic water may also want to consider the extra sugar and calories that they are consuming. Soft drinks, including tonic water, have little nutritional value but contribute to a person’s daily calorie intake.
Frequently asked questions
What does quinine do in the body?
As a malaria medication, quinine kills the parasite that causes malaria. In small doses, such as in a single glass of tonic water, quinine has little effect on the body, and the FDA considers it safe.
What is quinine in tonic water good for?
Quinine gives tonic water its bitter taste, which some people enjoy.
Tonic water’s original marketing from 1862 claimed: “It’s properties are antacid, cooling, and refreshing…it gives strength to the stomach and tone to the whole nervous system, and is especially adapted to persons feeling depressed from mental or bodily excitement.” There is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
Summary
The quinine in tonic water helps give it a bitter taste. People should not mistake tonic water for a healthful drink, as it may contain sugar and provides no additional nutritional value.
The quinine in tonic water is very diluted. Some people claim tonic water may help with leg cramps, but this usage is not FDA-approved, and further research is necessary.
It is unlikely that a person will experience even mild side effects from drinking tonic water, but they should be cautious if they are taking quinine as a medication and try to report any side effects to a doctor.
- Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
- Nutrition / Diet
- Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
How we reviewed this article:
SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.- CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21. (2023).https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfCFR/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=172.575
- Hill SR, et al. (2023). Antimalarial medications.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470158/
- Just the tonic: A natural history of tonic water. (2019). https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/just-the-tonic-history
- Menakuru SR, et al. (2021). Disseminated intravascular coagulation due to drinking tonic water.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8765093/
- Unapproved drugs and patient harm. (2021).https://www.fda.gov/drugs/enforcement-activities-fda/unapproved-drugs-and-patient-harm
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Medically reviewed by Kerry Boyle D.Ac., M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. Ac., CYT — Written by Jenna Fletcher — Updated on January 26, 2024Latest news
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