Beer: Friend Or Foe When Battling The Common Cold?

Drinking alcohol when you're sick is generally not recommended by health authorities. Alcohol can weaken your body's ability to fight off infection, and a weakened immune system can make your body more susceptible to illness and slow down recovery. Alcohol can also negatively impact your sleep, causing disruptions to REM sleep and activating an unhelpful sleep pattern called alpha activity. In addition, alcohol can cause dehydration, which can worsen congestion. There is also a risk that alcohol will interact with any cold medication you're taking, which can be dangerous. However, there is some evidence that drinking a small amount of alcohol may reduce the number of colds you get per year, possibly because moderate alcohol consumption has been linked to enhanced immune function.

Beer contains humulone, which can help fight the common cold virus in adults

Beer has long been touted as a cure for the common cold, and new research suggests there may be some truth to this. Beer contains humulone, a chemical compound found in hops—the ingredient that gives beer its bitter taste—which can help fight the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) linked to cold-like symptoms in adults. However, it's important to note that the amount of beer required to ingest an effective amount of humulone is impractical, roughly 30 cans or 360 ounces.

While beer may not be a practical cure for the common cold, moderate alcohol consumption has been linked to a reduced frequency of colds. A 2012 study of 899 males in Japan found that those who drank 11.5 to 35.8 grams or 0.49 to 1.53 fluid ounces of alcohol per day had, on average, fewer episodes of the common cold than those who abstained from drinking. It's worth noting that excessive alcohol consumption is detrimental to health and can increase the risk of infection.

In addition to the potential benefits of moderate alcohol consumption, beer also offers other health benefits when consumed in reasonable amounts. For example, dark beers contain B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and selenium, an antioxidant that supports the immune system in fighting off infections. Beer has also been linked to increased bone density and a reduced risk of heart disease, Alzheimer's, and dementia.

However, it's important to remember that drinking beer or any other alcoholic beverage is not a substitute for proper cold treatment and prevention measures such as rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications. Alcohol can also interact negatively with certain cold medications, and health authorities generally advise against starting to drink alcohol for any reason.

Alcohol weakens the body's ability to fight off infection

In addition, alcohol can disrupt your sleep, which is crucial for recovery from sickness. While a glass of wine might help you fall asleep, alcohol interferes with REM sleep, leaving you feeling groggy in the morning. It also triggers a sleep pattern called alpha activity, which prevents your body from getting the deep sleep it needs.

Alcohol can also worsen common cold and flu symptoms such as headaches, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. This is because alcohol can cause dehydration, which can make congestion worse.

It is important to note that while there is some evidence that drinking a small amount of alcohol may reduce the number of colds you get per year, excessive alcohol consumption is highly damaging to human health and increases the risk of infection. Therefore, it is generally recommended to avoid drinking alcohol during a cold, especially if you are taking any cold medications, as alcohol can interact negatively with certain over-the-counter and prescription drugs.

Alcohol can worsen symptoms of a cold, such as headaches, nausea, and fatigue

Alcohol consumption can have detrimental effects on the body when it is fighting off a cold. Drinking alcohol can suppress the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections and slowing down recovery. This is because alcohol can impair the function of immune cells in the respiratory tract, increasing vulnerability to infections.

Drinking alcohol while sick can also worsen cold and flu symptoms such as headaches, body aches, nausea, and fatigue. Alcohol can also cause dehydration, which can exacerbate congestion. In addition, alcohol can disrupt sleep patterns, interrupting much-needed rest and leaving the body more vulnerable to illness.

The combination of alcohol with certain cold medications can be dangerous. For example, acetaminophen, a common pain reliever and fever reducer found in many over-the-counter cold and flu medications, can cause liver damage when mixed with alcohol. Other medications, such as chlorpheniramine maleate, an antihistamine that relieves symptoms like sneezing and a runny nose, can have worsened side effects when combined with alcohol, including increased drowsiness or nausea.

Therefore, it is generally recommended to avoid drinking alcohol when sick and instead focus on getting enough rest, staying hydrated, and using over-the-counter medications or home remedies to alleviate symptoms.

Alcohol may interact negatively with cold medications

Drinking alcohol while taking medication can be dangerous and even deadly. Alcohol can interact with some over-the-counter and prescription medications, and these interactions can have serious consequences. Here are some common cold medications that can negatively interact with alcohol:

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is a common pain reliever and fever reducer found in many over-the-counter cold and flu medications. Since both acetaminophen and alcohol are metabolized in the liver, consuming alcohol while taking this medication can lead to liver damage.

Chlorpheniramine Maleate

This antihistamine is often used to relieve cold symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes. Alcohol can worsen the side effects of this medication, including drowsiness and nausea.

Pseudoephedrine and Phenylephrine

Pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are common nasal decongestants that help clear sinuses. However, when combined with alcohol, they may cause difficulty sleeping and headaches.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are commonly used to treat allergies, colds, and the flu. They can cause excessive drowsiness, and when combined with alcohol, the risk of accidents and overdose increases.

Antibiotics and Antifungals

Alcohol can worsen the side effects of antibiotics and antifungals, leading to a rapid heartbeat, sudden changes in blood pressure, stomach issues, headaches, and redness in the face. Mixing alcohol with certain antibiotics, such as isoniazid and ketoconazole, can also result in liver damage.

It is important to note that this list is not exhaustive, and other medications may also interact negatively with alcohol. Always consult with a healthcare provider or pharmacist before consuming alcohol while taking any medication.

Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of infection

Excessive alcohol consumption can have detrimental effects on the body's immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections. Here are some reasons why excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of infection:

• Weakened Immune System: Alcohol can weaken the body's ability to fight off infections. When an individual is sick, their immune system is already compromised. Consuming alcohol further impairs the body's defence mechanism, prolonging the recovery process.
• Increased Susceptibility to Diseases: Chronic drinkers are more prone to contracting various diseases, such as pneumonia and tuberculosis. Excessive alcohol consumption can also increase the risk of viral and bacterial infections, including colds.
• Altered Intestinal Permeability: Alcohol has been linked to increased intestinal permeability, allowing bacteria and microbial products to translocate from the gut into the bloodstream. This can lead to higher levels of endotoxins and bacterial DNA in the blood, triggering an inflammatory response.
• Impaired Alveolar Macrophage Function: Alveolar macrophages, which play a crucial role in the immune system, are negatively affected by alcohol consumption. Alcohol decreases the expression of the granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) receptor and impairs the phagocytic activity of these cells, hindering their ability to defend against pathogens.
• Disruption of Circadian Rhythm: Alcohol has been shown to disrupt circadian rhythmicity, which can have detrimental effects on immune function. Circadian clock genes, which are influenced by day and light patterns, are altered by alcohol consumption, leading to potential immune dysfunction.
• Impaired Skin Wound Healing: Alcoholism is associated with higher rates of wound infection and delayed wound closure. It increases the risk of infections, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Vibrio vulnificus.

It is important to note that excessive alcohol consumption can refer to binge drinking or heavy drinking over an extended period. The negative impacts on the immune system and increased risk of infection are not limited to a single episode of excessive drinking but can also occur over time with consistent alcohol abuse.

Frequently asked questions