Cold Beer And Phlegm: Is There A Connection?

Drinking cold beer can have several effects on the body, but does it create phlegm?

There are a few reasons why people believe that drinking cold beer can help with a cold. One theory is that alcohol is a disinfectant and can kill germs on the skin, so it should be able to do the same inside the body. However, this is not true—alcohol is only effective as a disinfectant when used topically, not when consumed. Another theory is that alcohol has decongestant properties, but the opposite is true. Small amounts of alcohol can cause vasodilation, which can worsen a runny nose or congestion.

Some people believe that drinking cold beer can help with a cold because it can act as a cough suppressant. While alcohol is added to some cough medicines, it is usually because some of the compounds found in these medicines do not dissolve easily in water but do so in alcohol. Therefore, alcohol is used as a base for mixing rather than an active ingredient.

In fact, drinking cold beer is more likely to worsen cold symptoms due to its immunosuppressive and dehydrating effects. Alcohol can weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off infections, and it can also dehydrate the body by removing fluids through the kidneys.

So, while drinking a cold beer may not create phlegm, it is also not an effective remedy for a cold and may even make symptoms worse.

Alcohol intolerance

People of East Asian descent are at a higher risk of having alcohol intolerance due to a genetic variation in their ALDH2 gene, which codes for an enzyme responsible for breaking down acetaldehyde, a toxic molecule formed during alcohol metabolism. This variation results in sluggish or lower levels of the ALDH2 enzyme, leading to a buildup of acetaldehyde and unpleasant side effects.

While alcohol intolerance itself does not cause a stuffy nose, certain ingredients in alcoholic beverages, such as histamine, sulfites, or other chemicals, can trigger similar symptoms, including nasal congestion. Additionally, for individuals with pre-existing asthma, alcohol can worsen asthma symptoms, further contributing to respiratory issues.

It is important to distinguish between alcohol intolerance and alcohol allergy. An alcohol allergy is an immune system response to ingredients in alcoholic beverages, such as grains, preservatives, or chemicals. Allergic reactions can cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing, a runny nose, or stomach upset, and even a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction in rare cases.

If you experience any uncomfortable symptoms after consuming alcohol, it is advisable to consult a doctor to determine whether you have alcohol intolerance or an alcohol allergy. The only way to prevent these adverse reactions is to avoid alcohol or identify and avoid specific substances that trigger your symptoms.

Allergies

While drinking cold beer does not directly cause phlegm, it can lead to an increase in mucus production. Beer contains histamines, which can trigger the body to release histamines, resulting in higher mucus production. This effect is more likely to occur in people with histamine sensitivity or intolerance, often caused by enzyme deficits in the gut.

Beer allergies are rare, but some people may experience allergic reactions to specific ingredients in beer, such as grains, yeast, or preservatives. Alcohol intolerance, caused by a genetic condition that affects the body's ability to break down alcohol efficiently, can also contribute to adverse reactions.

If you experience allergic reactions or intolerance symptoms after consuming beer, it is recommended to consult a healthcare provider. They can help determine the cause of your symptoms and provide guidance on managing your condition.

Histamines

Histamine intolerance is not a sensitivity to histamine but rather an indication that the person has developed too much of it. Symptoms of histamine intolerance include those that you would expect to see with a common allergic response, such as sneezing, hives, headaches, nausea, and digestive issues.

Histamine is a direct product of the fermentation and spoiling of food. It is also a product of the fermentation and ageing process used in winemaking. Histamine can be found in wine and many other alcoholic beverages, including beer. Histamine levels in wine are below the level that would cause a reaction in most allergy sufferers. However, some people are allergic to the sulfites in wine, and their bodies naturally produce histamines in reaction to their intake.

Histamine is also found in beer as a result of contamination with lactic acid bacteria, especially Pediococcus spp. The choice of yeast and brewing conditions also affect the histamine content in beer. Bottom-fermented beers, which are fermented at low temperatures, contain only small amounts of histamine. Top-fermented beers, on the other hand, are fermented at higher temperatures and are more susceptible to contamination, resulting in higher histamine levels.

Histamine-producing bacteria are more likely to be found in top-fermented beers, and this is reflected in their higher histamine levels. Beers brewed with a mixture of yeast and lactic acid bacteria, such as Berliner Weißbier, will also have increased histamine levels.

Specialty beers produced through spontaneous fermentation can sometimes contain critical amounts of histamine. Inadequately hygienic conditions during production can also lead to increased levels of histamine in beer.

Beer and wine contain high levels of histamine, which can contribute to a runny nose or nasal congestion. Histamine-induced bronchoconstriction can also occur in some asthmatics, especially those with genetically reduced aldehyde dehydrogenase isoform 2 deficiency (ALHD2).

Alcohol and mucus production

The effects of alcohol on mucus production are dependent on the amount consumed and the duration of consumption. Brief exposure to small amounts of alcohol may enhance mucociliary clearance, which is the process of removing inhaled particles and debris from the lungs. However, prolonged and heavy exposure to alcohol impairs mucociliary clearance and can lead to increased mucus production.

Alcohol also has immunosuppressive effects, which means it can weaken the body's immune system and make it harder to fight off infections, such as the common cold. In addition, alcohol can have a dehydrating effect on the body, which is the opposite of what is needed to help ease cold symptoms.

Therefore, while alcohol may not directly cause an increase in phlegm or congestion, it can indirectly lead to these issues by impairing the body's ability to effectively clear mucus and fight off infections.

Alcohol and asthma

Alcohol as a Treatment for Asthma

The earliest indication of alcohol being used to treat asthma appears on Egyptian papyri from around 2000 BC. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates suggested that wine could reduce sputum production, a problem faced by asthmatics. The use of alcohol to treat asthma was common in the US until the early 20th century when it was renounced by the American Medical Association.

Alcohol as a Trigger for Asthma Attacks

Some people with asthma are sensitive to substances found in alcohol, namely sulphites and histamines, which can trigger asthma symptoms. Sulphites are preservatives commonly used in wine, beer, and cider production, while histamines are produced during alcohol fermentation and are present in all alcohol types.

A 2000 study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that 33% of respondents had experienced an asthma attack triggered by alcohol on at least two occasions, with wine being the most common trigger. Most alcohol-related symptoms started within an hour of drinking.

It is important to note that not everyone with asthma experiences asthma attacks triggered by alcohol, and the impact of alcohol can vary from person to person.

Alternatives to Alcoholic Drinks

For those who are sensitive to alcohol, low-sulphite or sulphite-free wines, spirits, and mocktails are recommended as alternatives.

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