Hot toddies predate effective cold and flu medication. Whiskey with hot water, honey and lemon was thought to treat symptoms and shorten a cold.
Dr. Rosario Giacomini, a primary care provider for Hartford HealthCare Medical Group, said it’s a myth. According to him, it can prolong the length of an illness.
“Relief comes from the honey and hot water. The alcohol may weaken the immune system and, in turn, your body’s ability to effectively fight off the cold,” explained Dr. Giacomini.
“Drinking water… helps prevent the dehydration common when sick,” said Dr. Giacomini. “For a sore throat, we recommend saltwater gargles or honey, either in a liquid or alone. For congestion, we recommend nasal saline spray with an inhaled glucocorticoid like Fluticasone.”
“Hot fluids, honey and a little bit of lemon can be very therapeutic in combating a respiratory infection,” said Dr. Jesse Bracamonte of the Mayo Clinic. “I would never recommend having alcohol with any illness.”
He pointed out that alcohol is a sedative. That can hit you harder if you’re ill, and it can be a double whammy if you are taking a cold and cough medicine that causes drowsiness. It increases the risk of falls, an overdose or changes in how you metabolize medications. It can also cause dehydration that worsens symptoms.
“The last thing you want to do when you have a cold is get dehydrated,” said Joan Blake, a clinical instructor at Boston Univ. “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.”
But, Dr. Bracamonte said a virgin hot toddy can be beneficial. He pointed out that the lemon juice contains vitamin C. A small amount of honey can reduce the frequency and discomfort of a cough. Hot water aids hydration and can open sinuses, loosening up a cough and reducing headaches.
Ms. Blake recommends adding ginger to your virgin hot toddy as it has anti-inflammatory properties. It has the added bonus of having a bit of a kick, like whiskey.
Eating fruits and vegetables is associated with a 20 percent reduction in the number of days a cold lasts. So, eat an orange instead of drinking a hot toddy.
A hot toddy might sound appealing when you’re ill. But you’re actually prolonging your illness. Instead, drink plenty of fluids and eat nourishing foods, and you’ll be healthy soon!
