It’s best to avoid alcohol while recovering from an upper respiratory infection.
Alcohol is dehydrating, can negatively impact the immune system, and can be unsafe with cold medications.
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Does Whiskey Help Ease Cold Symptoms?
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There are some myths about how whiskey and alcohol might help a cold.
Drinking alcohol will not help to kill germs in your body.
It might make matters worse due to the effect of alcohol on the immune system.
Could a Hot Toddy Help?
A hot toddy is a whiskey beverage served warm with water, lemon, and honey.
Many people consider this a home remedy for a cold.
Making ahot toddy without whiskeymight help, though.
Honey has cough-suppressing qualities, and studies suggest it may improve symptoms of upper respiratory infections.
Lemons containvitamin C, which is important for immune health.
Some studies suggest supplementing higher levels of vitamin C may help withcold symptoms.
Can Alcohol Help Prevent Colds?
Alcohol as a decongestant or that it can help kill off an infection are myths.
Alcohol can make it harder to fight off infection and contribute to dehydration.
While there’s no cure for the common cold, some treatments help with symptoms.
Other home remedies are drinking hot tea with honey and lemon and breathing in steam from a hot shower.
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