Winston Churchill once claimed that “gin and tonic has saved more Englishmen’s lives and minds than all the doctors in the Empire”—and more than a century later, the classic cocktail remains deeply woven into British culture.
The drink traces its origins to 19th-century India, where the Royal Navy distributed quinine-rich tonic water to help protect sailors from malaria. But the early tonic was extremely bitter, leading naval officers to mix it with sugar, lime, water and gin—accidentally creating the iconic G&T enjoyed today.
While Churchill may have exaggerated its medicinal powers, nutritionists say the gin and tonic can be a smarter choice for drinkers looking to minimise health damage.
Registered longevity nutritionist Ruchi Bhuwania Lohia says many people struggle to avoid alcohol entirely, so choosing lower-calorie options can help. Compared to beer or wine, gin contains fewer calories—around 50 per shot—while a 200ml serving of light tonic adds only about 30 calories. A single G&T can stay under 100 calories, significantly less than a pint of beer or a medium glass of wine.
Clear spirits are also easier for the body to metabolise, according to nutritionist GQ Jordan, who notes that the botanical bitterness of a G&T may naturally slow a person’s drinking pace. However, he warns that mixers matter; full-sugar tonics or sodas can spike blood sugar and trigger late-night cravings.
NHS data shows the average British man consumes 17.6 alcohol units per week—equivalent to 8–9 pints of lager. Swapping those pints for G&Ts would cut roughly 900 calories weekly, potentially leading to about a stone of weight loss over a year.
But experts stress that the ingredients themselves offer no real health benefits. Modern tonic water contains far less quinine than in the past—far below therapeutic levels needed to prevent malaria. Similarly, while juniper berries (used to flavour gin) are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, the amount present in a standard drink is too small to deliver meaningful benefits.
“There is no safe level of drinking,” Jordan said. “It’s about making informed choices—enjoy what you drink, pace yourself, and hydrate between rounds.”
