As it turns out, quite a lot. Though quinine is most commonly associated with tonic water, this bitter alkaloid can also be found in grapefruit juice. In fact, grapefruit juice has the highest concentration of quinine of any natural food source. But just how much quinine is in grapefruit juice? Let’s take a look.
Quinine is a bitter alkaloid that is most commonly associated with tonic water. Though it was once used as an antimalarial drug, it is now largely considered to be ineffective for this purpose. Nevertheless, quinine still has some benefits – it’s known to improve circulation and relieve muscle cramps. And, as it turns out, grapefruit juice has the highest concentration of quinine of any natural food source. So how much quinine is in grapefruit juice? Let’s take a look.
One cup of grapefruit juice (8 fluid ounces) contains approximately 30 milligrams of quinine. To put that into perspective, the average adult dose of quinine for malaria prevention is 300-650 milligrams per day. So, if you were to drink 8 cups of grapefruit juice per day, you would be getting a therapeutic dose of quinine. Though it’s important to note that there are no guarantees after all, grapefruit juice is not a regulated drug.
Of course, not everyone tolerates quinine well. Some people experience gastrointestinal distress when they consume quinine-containing foods or beverages. And in large doses, quinine can cause serious side effects like irregular heartbeat and low blood sugar levels. So if you’re thinking about using grapefruit juice as a way to prevent or treat malaria, it’s best to speak with your doctor first.
In short, there is a significant amount of quinine in grapefruit juice enough to provide a therapeutic dose if consumed in large enough quantities.
However, it’s important to remember that grapefruit juice is not a regulated drug, and side effects are possible especially when consumed in large amounts. If you’re thinking about using grapefruit juice as a way to prevent or treat malaria, it’s best to speak with your doctor first.
