What are the potential side effects of drinking tonic water soda?
We found no official source that lists side effects of drinking tonic water. U.S. rules cap quinine in carbonated beverages at 83 parts per million and require that quinine be disclosed (21 CFR 172.575). The side effects MedlinePlus lists, such as nausea and ringing in the ears, are for quinine used as a medicine. Ask a doctor or pharmacist if you are sensitive to quinine or take medicines.
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Is tonic water bad for you?
We found no official source (FDA, NHS, CDC) that says tonic water is harmful or healthy at normal servings. What official sources do give us is the quinine limit, the quinine drug warnings and the nutrition data below.
How much quinine can tonic water contain?
Under 21 CFR 172.575, quinine may be used in carbonated beverages as a flavor, “not to exceed 83 parts per million, as quinine.” The label must also disclose quinine, either in the product name or in a separate statement. People who reacted to quinine before should read the label.
What side effects does quinine cause?
MedlinePlus describes side effects of quinine as a medicine, including nausea, restlessness and ringing in the ears, plus serious reactions such as allergic symptoms and bleeding problems that need a doctor right away. It also says quinine should not be used to treat or prevent nighttime leg cramps. That page does not mention tonic water, and we found no official source linking tonic water to diarrhea or an upset stomach.
What about the sugar?
USDA FoodData Central lists “Water, tonic” at 34 kcal and 8.8 g sugars per 100 g. A 12 fl oz can (360 g in that entry) is about 122 kcal and 32 g sugars (our calculation). Most of what a regular tonic adds is sugar, not quinine.
If you take medicines, are pregnant, or have a condition that quinine could affect, ask a doctor or pharmacist before drinking tonic water regularly.
People also ask
Is tonic water bad for you?
We found no official source that calls normal servings harmful. Regular tonic water has about 32 g sugars per 12 fl oz can (USDA data, our calculation).
How much quinine is allowed in tonic water?
U.S. food additive rules (21 CFR 172.575) allow up to 83 parts per million quinine in carbonated beverages, and quinine must be disclosed on the label.
Can tonic water cause diarrhea or an upset stomach?
We found no official source that says so. MedlinePlus lists nausea as a side effect of quinine medicine, not of tonic water. Ask a doctor if symptoms persist.
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