"The hot toddy has a reputation as a folk remedy for illness. And if you're sick, a steaming cup of whiskey, 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. 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 in Phoenix, Arizona."
"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 like Benadryl, Bracamonte says. Combining alcohol with medications that have sedative effects can increase risks like falling and overdose, and change how you metabolize prescriptions people over 65 need to be especially cautious because of their slower metabolism."
Hot fluids, honey, and a little lemon can be therapeutic for respiratory infections. Alcohol in a hot toddy is not recommended during illness. Alcohol can overly sedate, especially when combined with sedating cold and cough medications such as antihistamines. Combining alcohol with medications increases risks of falls, overdose, and altered drug metabolism; older adults are at higher risk because of slower metabolism. Alcohol may weaken the immune system, slow healing, and cause dehydration, which worsens symptoms. Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach can lower blood sugar and cause dizziness. People with diabetes or pre-diabetes should take special caution.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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