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Drinking Whiskey Could Help To Relieve Your Cold Symptoms

Drinking Whiskey Could Help To Relieve Your Cold Symptoms

Your old friend Mr Jack Daniel could help you get over that January cold

Jake Massey

Jake Massey

January is a miserable time of year. You're most likely broke, cold and enduring some tortuous new year challenge - the point of which you can scarcely remember.


On top of all this, you're likely to be spending a lot of your time snivelling, coughing and snotting as the lurgy spreads throughout the work place.

But if pints of Lemsip and piles of paracetamol haven't been able to budge it, maybe it's time to try something stronger.

You may have thought it was a bit of an old wives' tale that whiskey could help with a cold, but it turns out there is some science behind it. The fiery tipple won't actually cure the illness itself, but it can help with the symptoms.

Dr. William Schaffner, chair of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told ABC News: "It would not have an effect on the virus itself, but its effect on the body can possibly give you some modest symptom relief.

"The alcohol dilates blood vessels a little bit, and that makes it easier for your mucus membranes to deal with the infection."

A bit of whisky could help relieve cold symptoms.
PA

On top of this, you will also be moderately pissed, which as we know eases all varieties of pain.

The best way to administer a whiskey fixer is in the shape of the classic hot toddy, as the hot water can relieve nasal congestion, while the honey and the lemon can soothe a sore throat.

To make one, mix a shot or two of whiskey with a few teaspoons of honey. Then add about 200ml of hot water and a splash of lemon juice. If you still want to feel fancy while frail, throw in a cinnamon stick, a slice of lemon and a clove, and voila.

However, if you do start whipping up boozy medicinal cocktails, it is advisable that you balance them with regular non-alcohol and decaffeinated drinks, as it is important that you remain well hydrated when fighting an illness.

It's also important not to get too carried away with the healing hot toddies. The alcohol will not fix the infection, and too much of it will impede recovery. As such, you could risk waking up feeling much worse than you did in the first place.

Dr Schaffner said: "We would not recommend going out and drinking 30 bottles of beer every day to ward off the flu."

Makes sense really. The last thing you need when already ill is the added self-inflicted illness that is the dreaded hangover... However, we have some tips on how to fix those too.

Featured Image Credit: PA/Pexels

Topics: Science, Food, News, Health