Alcohol isn’t exactly considered a healthy lifestyle choice; more often than not, it’s associated with empty calories and bad decisions. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few benefits to drinking in moderation. In fact, gin is a liquor with a wealth of potential benefits to offer. So read on, and discover ten ways in which gin might actually be a good drink for you.

1. Fight Off Illness

Juniper berries are an incredibly healthy fruit that carry a multitude of medicinal benefits. These super berries are also—you guessed it—the main ingredient in gin. Used for centuries as an topical antiseptic, juniper berries can also help fight off coughs and lung congestion. The oils contained in juniper berries agitate bronchial passages and expel mucus.

2. Calm Your Joint Woes

Try a bit of gin if your joints are aching or if you suffer from arthritis. According to BIDMC, gin’s makeup helps to relieve the pain caused by achy joints, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, some arthritis sufferers even use gin-soaked raisins to reduce joint inflammation.

3. Improve Your Digestion

Many people avoid gin due to its slightly bitter taste, but that lip-puckering flavor is an aid to the digestive system. The herbs used to create gin can increase both stomach acid secretions and digestive enzymes; this increase in fluids necessary for breaking down ingested food allows for better digestion.