The hot toddy has a reputation as a folk remedy for illness. And if you’re sick, a steaming cup of whisky, honey, lemon, and water can sound like a lot more fun than crackers and broth.
But what about the alcohol? Here’s what experts say about hot toddies and colds.
Can I have a hot toddy when I’m sick?
Overall, it’s not a great idea, experts say.
Patients sometimes bring up hot toddies as a cold remedy, says Jesse Bracamonte, a family medicine physician at Mayo Clinic based in Phoenix, Arizona. Indeed, some of the ingredients can be helpful.
“Hot fluids, honey and a little bit of lemon can be very therapeutic in combating a respiratory infection,” says.
But there’s an important exception: “I would never recommend having alcohol with any illness,” he says.
While drinking can cause a relaxing effect, consuming alcohol while sick can also overly sedate you, particularly if you’re taking cold and cough medications such as Benadryl, Bracamonte says. Combining alcohol with medications that have sedative effects can increase risks including falling and overdose, and change how you metabolize prescriptions – people over 65 need to be especially cautious because of their slower metabolism. (Even outside hot toddy season, it’s essential to chat with your doctor about potential alcohol-medication interactions.)
Alcohol may also weaken the immune system and slow down healing, Bracamonte says. Furthermore, drinking can cause dehydration, worsening symptoms.
“The last thing you want to do when you have a cold is get dehydrated,” says Joan Blake, a registered dietitian and clinical instructor at Boston University. “If you take in something that is going to dehydrate you, it’s sort of like filling a bucket with a hole in the bottom.”
It is also likely that if you’re not feeling well, you’re not eating much. Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach can cause blood sugar levels to drop, says Blake. Low blood sugar can lead to dizziness. In particular, people who are diabetic or pre-diabetic need to monitor their blood sugar, Blake explains.
What’s good about a hot toddy?
If you take the booze out of the equation, a non-alcoholic hot toddy could help with a cold, says Bracamonte.
Lemon contains vitamin C, which can support the immune system, says Blake. Some research suggests consuming vitamin C may slightly shorten the duration of the common cold (though you would probably need to consume at least 200mg; an orange has about 83mg).
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Meanwhile, studies show that honey can help reduce cough frequency and discomfort. “A little bit of honey for a cough goes a long way,” says Bracamonte. A small amount of sugar, like the amount in a dollop of honey, can provide some necessary energy.
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But it’s the hot water that can really help. Hydration helps with illness, especially upper respiratory infections including colds, explains Bracamonte. Staying hydrated helps your cells maintain a strong immune system, reduces the likelihood of headaches, and loosens mucus.
What can you eat or drink to help with a cold?
If you’re intrigued by the idea of the hot toddy, Blake recommends adding ginger because of its anti-inflammatory components and swapping in apple cider to replace the whisky.
Even if you don’t have an appetite, it’s still important to consume a small amount of sugar, “so you can have some kind of fuel”, Blake explains. A Gatorade or its equivalent could be helpful.
Bracamonte also recommends chamomile tea as a soothing beverage.
As for food, a 2010 study found that eating fruits and vegetables is associated with a 20% reduction in the number of days of moderate or severe common cold symptoms. Blake also recommends classic chicken noodle soup: it is hydrating and contains a healthy balance of nutrients.
Ultimately, it’s important to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest, says Bracamonte. Colds usually last between three and seven days; if your illness lasts longer than that or if you’re having difficulty breathing, you should contact your healthcare provider for help.
While sipping a hot toddy might sound like a bright reprieve from the monotony of feeling sick, it’s more useful to stick to the basics: sleep, eat healthy and keep those non-boozy liquids coming.
