The hot toddy has a reputation as a folk remedy for illness. And if you\u2019re sick, a steaming cup of whisky, honey, lemon, and water can sound like a lot more fun than crackers and broth.<\/p>\n
But what about the alcohol? Here\u2019s what experts say about hot toddies and colds.<\/p>\n
Can I have a hot toddy when I\u2019m sick?<\/p>\n
Overall, it\u2019s not a great idea, experts say.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cHot fluids, honey and a little bit of lemon can be very therapeutic in combating a respiratory infection,\u201d says.<\/p>\n
But there\u2019s an important exception: \u201cI would never recommend having alcohol with any illness,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
While drinking can cause a relaxing effect, consuming alcohol while sick can also overly sedate you, particularly if you\u2019re taking cold and cough medications such as Benadryl, Bracamonte says. Combining alcohol with medications that have sedative effects can increase risks<\/a> including falling and overdose, and change how you metabolize prescriptions \u2013 people over 65 need to be especially cautious because of their slower metabolism. (Even outside hot toddy season, it\u2019s essential to chat with your doctor about potential alcohol-medication interactions.)<\/p>\n Alcohol may also weaken the immune system and slow down healing, Bracamonte says. Furthermore, drinking can cause dehydration, worsening symptoms.<\/p>\n \u201cThe last thing you want to do when you have a cold is get dehydrated,\u201d says Joan Blake, a registered dietitian and clinical instructor at Boston University. \u201cIf you take in something that is going to dehydrate you, it\u2019s sort of like filling a bucket with a hole in the bottom.\u201d<\/p>\n It is also likely that if you\u2019re not feeling well, you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n What\u2019s good about a hot toddy?<\/p>\n If you take the booze out of the equation, a non-alcoholic hot toddy could help with a cold, says Bracamonte.<\/p>\n Lemon contains vitamin C, which can support the immune system, says Blake. Some research<\/a> suggests consuming vitamin C may slightly shorten the duration of the common cold (though you would probably need to consume at least 200mg<\/a>; an orange has about 83mg<\/a>).<\/p>\n Graphic with three lines of text that say, in bold, \u2018Well Actually\u2019, then \u2018Read more on living a good life in a complex world,\u2019 then a pinkish-lavender pill-shaped button with white letters that say \u2018More from this section\u2019\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Meanwhile, studies<\/a> show<\/a> that<\/a> honey can help reduce cough frequency and discomfort. \u201cA little bit of honey for a cough goes a long way,\u201d says Bracamonte. A small amount of sugar, like the amount in a dollop of honey, can provide some necessary energy.<\/p>\n But it\u2019s the hot water that can really help. Hydration helps with illness, especially upper respiratory infections<\/a> including colds, explains Bracamonte. Staying hydrated helps your cells<\/a> maintain a strong immune system, reduces the likelihood of headaches, and loosens mucus.<\/p>\n What can you eat or drink to help with a cold?<\/p>\n If you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n Even if you don\u2019t have an appetite, it\u2019s still important to consume a small amount of sugar, \u201cso you can have some kind of fuel\u201d, Blake explains. A Gatorade or its equivalent could be helpful.<\/p>\n Bracamonte also recommends chamomile tea as a soothing beverage.<\/p>\n