Is there any benefit to taking tonic water for your leg cramps?

True tonic water contains small amounts of quinine, which has skeletal muscle relaxant properties. I believe Canada Dry still makes a true tonic water.

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Originally Posted by pastrd

Is there any benefit to taking tonic water for your leg cramps?

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Tonic water is flovored with sugar, sometimes fruit extracts and quinine, it has no real medical benefits, mainly developed for mixing with drinks. It will increase circulation, that's about it>:o

Tonic water with quinine was developed to help treat malaria and reduce the symptoms of malaria. It tasted very bitter and was often diluted with gin which is how the drink gin and tonic came to be. Tonic water now does not contain enough quinine to help with malaria and a synthetic prescription would be the best course of action along with antibiotics. Since then tonic water has had citrus and sugar added for taste which makes it high in carbohydrates; a diet tonic water is available. Quinine does have muscle relaxing qualities and I do have a friend that says it helps her leg cramps. Be warned that it can cause blood clots and may not be the best choice as a treatment for leg cramps. I would ask my doctor before using it as a treatment to get the latest information.