Last Updated on December 29, 2022 by Lydia Martin
Aside from a runny nose, having a sore throat because of a cold is truly uncomfortable and inconvenient.
There is a long list of home remedies and medications, but did you know that moderate alcohol consumption can actually relieve you of cold symptoms?
Recent studies show that some medical whiskey claims may not just be an old wives’ tale. Read on to find out, does whiskey help a sore throat?
Table of Contents
Does Drinking Whiskey Soothe a Sore Throat?
Yes, moderate whiskey drinking soothes sore throats and coughing. Cold or flu caused by viral infections can make our throat feel irritated, dry, scratchy, or sometimes burning.
Home remedies such as hot tea, honey, lemon, warm water, or even Hot Toddies can make us feel better.
Hot Toddy ingredients such as whiskey contain a high amount of alcohol that functions as a vasodilator, opening blood vessels to let the blood pass through.
This alcoholic drink helps your muscles relax and relieves common cold symptoms like a sore throat.
Check out these alcoholic drinks to soothe coughing and sore throat.
How Whiskey Can Help
1. Contains Infection-Fighting Antioxidant
Ellagic acid is an organic compound in whiskey that helps fight viral and bacterial infections that can cause sore throat or cold.
It is an antioxidant that neutralizes harmful radicals, decreases levels of inflammation, and removes toxins in the body, protecting us from different diseases.
Excessive free radicals can damage your body’s proteins, making us more vulnerable to cold.
2. Dilates Your Blood Vessels
We mentioned inflammation before, which causes the reddening of the skin.
Whenever we have injuries, wounds, or infections, our body naturally responds by carrying more blood and nutrients to these particular areas.
The blood concentration causes swollen blood vessels that can be painful sometimes.
In case of sore throat, moderate whiskey consumption helps dilate mucus membranes, allowing the blood to circulate normally and deal with the cold or infection easily.
3. Alcohol Numbs Pain
It is probably the oldest medical claim about drinking alcohol. Researchers found through modern studies that alcohol indeed dulls pain signals going to the brain.
An experiment in 2016 conducted by Trevor Thompson of the University of Greenwich, London, provided his team with enough evidence to conclude that alcohol is an effective painkiller [1].
Having a shot or two of whiskey can relieve you of sore throat and headaches caused by a cold.
What Experts Say
Experts believe that overconsumption of alcohol can lead to more serious health diseases. Whiskey can relieve a sore throat, but sometimes, it is also the cause of having one.
Prolonged exposure to alcoholic drinks will weaken the immune system and build up tolerance against the potential benefits of whiskey in the body.
In addition, combining alcohol with cold medicines like Tylenol, cough syrup, or any other medical remedies can cause irreversible damage to the liver.
Does Whiskey Kill Bacteria In The Throat?
No, whiskey can not kill bacteria in the throat. Most alcoholic drinks like whiskey, tequila Blanco, brandy, and vodka, have at least 40% ABV.
But the alcohol content needed to kill germs and bacteria has to be 60% to 90% concentration [2].
However, even if some whiskey brands contain more than 60% ABV, the alcohol concentration lowers once it enters the bloodstream.
You also have to limit your drinking with this alcohol content because it can be fatal. So, is whiskey acidic?
What’s The Best Whiskey To Soothe A Sore Throat?
The best whiskey type to soothe a sore throat is a Single Malt.
Scotch Whisky is the most famous single malt, but countries like Canada, Japan, Ireland, and even the United States also produce single malt expressions.
According to Dr. Jim Swan, a renowned whiskey consultant, single malt whiskey has higher ellagic acid than wines because of using barley during its production process.
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- Is Drinking Whiskey Good For High Blood Pressure?
- How Many Calories Do Scotch Whiskies Have?
- Is A Glass of Whiskey A Day Good For Your Health?
Why You Shouldn’t Drink Too Much When You’re Sick
You shouldn’t drink too much alcohol when you’re already sick because it can dehydrate your body.
Having a dry or sore throat is already a sign of dehydration, and drinking alcohol can worsen its effects on the body.
You can take at least one standard shot of whiskey and drink water to prevent this situation.
You can also mix whiskey in a warm cocktail like Hot Teddy. It amplifies the antibacterial properties and anti-inflammatory benefits of its alcohol content.
Hot Toddy Recipe
Ingredients:
Whiskey
It is a great decongestant to relieve mucus membranes in and around your nose.
The alcohol content lets you relax for a much-needed rest while soothing sore spots in your throat.
Having whiskey in a Hot Toddy dilutes its alcohol concentration to a beneficial level for your body.
Lemon Juice
The vitamin C in lemon juice may not entirely clear infections, but it can help reduce phlegm and strengthen the body’s immune system for faster healing.
It does not only add a flavorful taste to the Hot Toddy, but it also provides a comforting aroma to relax you when you’re sick.
Hot Water
Sipping hot liquids such as hot water or hot tea can relieve a sore throat caused by nasal congestion or colds.
There is also research suggesting that inhaling hot vapor relieves symptoms of nasal congestion.
You can also inhale the warm steam in Hot Toddy to unclog your sinuses.
Honey
Mixing honey in a Hot Toddy provides anti-inflammatory properties to help relieve throat inflammation.
It is one of the most available home remedies when you’re sick, along with lemon juice and hot water.
It can also reduce coughs and colds caused by upper respiratory tract infections.
Here are the best bourbons for a Hot Toddy recipe.
Instructions:
Bring water to a simmer using a teapot or saucepan, then pour it into a mug. Add whiskey, two teaspoons of lemon, and two teaspoons of honey. Stir until the honey dissolves into the blend.
Garnish the cocktail with a lemon slice or cinnamon. Add ginger or orange juice to the Hot Teddy for more health benefits. Enjoy.
FAQs
Does whiskey also help cough and cold?
Yes, whiskey can help with the symptoms of cough and cold. But there is no scientific evidence to prove that it can cure infections.
Can whiskey cause sore throat?
Yes, drinking too much whiskey can cause sore throats. Drinking alcohol can cause dehydration, leading to dry mouth and sore throat.
Key Takeaways
Studies show how whiskey helps our body fight infection whenever we’re sick. Alcohol dilates blood vessels, but it has a varying effect depending on the person, the type of sore throat, and the cause of inflammation.
However, alcohol can irritate some people. For these cases, you can drink herbal tea, mix honey and lemon, or gargle salt with warm water as another easy relief from a common cold.
You can also make a Hot Toddy by following our instructions or just what your doctor ordered. In the end, don’t forget to consult a physician if your cold persists.
References:
- https://globalnews.ca/news/3430024/alcohol-effective-painkiller/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/does-alcohol-kill-germs#can-it-kill-germs
Lydia Martin
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [emailprotected] or learn more about us here.