Many people believe that taking a shot of hard liquor like tequila can help treat cold or flu symptoms. The thinking is that the alcohol might help numb symptoms or even kill germs. However, there is no scientific evidence that taking a shot of tequila or any other hard liquor is an effective remedy when you’re sick. In fact, consuming alcohol could end up making you feel worse. Let’s take a closer look at the facts around tequila, sickness, and health.
What is Tequila?
Tequila is a distilled spirit made from the blue agave plant. It typically contains between 38-40% alcohol by volume. It originates from the region around the city of Tequila in Mexico, where it has a long history and cultural significance.
To make tequila, the heart of the blue agave plant called the piña is roasted, then juiced and fermented. The fermented juice is then distilled at least twice. The end product is a clear spirit with distinct herbal and earthy flavors from the agave plant.
Tequila is usually consumed in shot form, often with salt and lime. It can also be used in cocktails like the margarita. There are several types of tequila:
Blanco or Plata Tequila
Unaged white tequila. It has more of the natural agave flavor.
Reposado Tequila
Aged 2-11 months in oak barrels. Has some mellowing and complexity from the barrel aging.
Añejo Tequila
Aged 1-3 years in oak barrels. Smoother and more complex flavor.
Extra Añejo Tequila
Aged over 3 years in oak barrels. Very smooth with pronounced oak flavors.
So in summary, tequila is a strong distilled spirit that packs quite an alcoholic punch. Now let’s look at the effects of alcohol on sickness.
Does Alcohol Help Treat Cold or Flu?
There is a popular belief that drinking alcohol can help treat or shorten the duration of illnesses like the cold or flu. Is there any truth to this? Let’s examine what medical experts say.
Alcohol and Germs
It’s true that alcohol has some antimicrobial properties and can kill germs when used externally. However, when you drink alcohol, it does not directly kill viruses or bacteria in your body that cause colds or the flu. The amount of alcohol required to kill pathogens would be toxic if ingested.
While alcohol may make your throat feel numb temporarily, this does not mean it is treating the viral or bacterial infection.
Alcohol and Immune System
Far from boosting your immune system when sick, alcohol actually suppresses immune system function. It inhibits the ability of white blood cells and other immune cells to find and destroy pathogens in your body.
Regular heavy alcohol use also damages organs involved in immunity like the lungs, liver, and intestines over the long-term.
So drinking alcohol when you’re sick fails to treat the underlying infection. It may temporarily mask symptoms but also dampens your body’s efforts to fight off the cold or flu.
Alcohol, Dehydration and Sleep
When you have a cold or flu, it’s important to stay hydrated and get adequate rest. Drinking alcohol acts as a diuretic, causing you to urinate more and become dehydrated. This dehydration can make symptoms like headache, fatigue, and muscle aches worse.
Alcohol also disrupts sleep cycles, preventing you from getting quality rest needed to recover from illness. Just one or two drinks can reduce immune-boosting REM sleep.
So in summary, there is no scientific evidence that alcohol like tequila can treat or shorten the duration of colds or flu. Drinking alcohol likely makes symptoms worse by dehydrating you and impacting sleep and immunity.
Potential Risks and Dangers
Beyond failing to provide any medicinal benefits when sick, taking a straight shot of liquor like tequila poses some additional risks and dangers to your health.
Impaired Judgement
Drinking alcohol can reduce judgement and inhibitions. This could lead to unhealthy decisions when you need rest like going out in cold weather, not taking medications properly, or drinking even more alcohol.
Drug Interactions
Alcohol interacts negatively with over 200 prescription and over-the-counter medications that you may be taking to treat cold and flu symptoms. This includes decongestants, pain relievers like acetaminophen, and cough syrup. Combining alcohol and medicines can cause side effects like drowsiness, nausea, and liver damage.
Addiction
For some individuals, drinking alcohol when sick can lead to alcohol abuse and addiction. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends people with alcoholism avoid drinking even when sick to prevent relapse.
Safety Risks
Sickness impairs coordination, judgment, and reaction time. Combining this with alcohol increases risks like falls, burns, and motor vehicle accidents.
Worsened Symptoms
While alcohol may temporarily numb sore throat or stuffy nose, as it wears off symptoms often return worse than before. This leads to drinking more alcohol, continuing the unhealthy cycle.
Calorie Overload
Many cold and flu sufferers lose their appetite. Drinking alcohol provides empty liquid calories without nutrition needed for healing. Just 1.5 oz of tequila contains nearly 100 calories.
Type of Tequila | Calories per 1.5 oz Shot |
---|---|
Blanco | 97 |
Reposado | 96 |
Añejo | 98 |
As shown in the table, a single shot of tequila provides nearly 100 empty calories without any nutritional benefit. Consuming multiple shots adds up quickly, preventing weight loss and providing excess alcohol calories.
So in summary, taking straight shots of tequila or other hard liquor when sick comes with numerous health risks like medication interactions, addiction, worsened symptoms, and excess calories. It’s an unhealthy habit without medical benefit.
When is Alcohol Okay When Sick?
Given the lack of benefits and potential health risks, alcohol is rarely advisable when sick. However, in certain circumstances a modest amount may be okay if consumed responsibly:
– If your illness is very mild. Caution is still needed, but a single drink is less risky with a minor cold than severe flu.
– If you have no medication or health concerns. Alcohol interacts negatively with many medicines and conditions.
– If you are past the worst symptoms. At the tail end of illness as appetite returns, a drink may not be as disruptive.
– If you are able to properly hydrate. Maintaining fluid balance lessens alcohol’s diuretic effects.
– If you limit intake to one standard drink. No more than this to minimize disruption to sleep and immunity.
– If you refrain from risky activities. Don’t combine alcohol and driving, operating equipment, etc.
– If you eat food with it. Eating helps slow alcohol absorption.
Even in these cases, avoid tequila shots and opt for a weaker drink like beer or wine to minimize adverse effects. And never drink if you are underage, pregnant, have certain health conditions, or need to take medication.
Healthier Alternatives
Rather than tequila or alcohol when sick, focus on healthier alternatives to ease symptoms and support your body’s recovery:
– Stay hydrated with water, broths, herbal tea, diluted juices, or electrolyte drinks. Avoid excess sugar.
– Get ample rest. Naps help the body fight infection.
– Eat nourishing foods like soups, yogurt, and fruits when able.
– Take over-the-counter remedies as needed for fever, cough, etc per package directions.
– Use humidifiers, vapor rubs, and cough drops to ease congestion.
– Gargle salt water for sore throats.
– Apply warm compresses to soothe sinus and body aches.
– Manage stress with relaxation techniques like deep breathing.
– Avoid smoke, pollutants, and other respiratory irritants.
With rest and proper care, most mild to moderate illnesses clear up on their own without the need for alcohol or tequila shots. Focus on supporting your body’s natural healing ability.
Conclusion
There is no convincing medical evidence that taking straight shots of tequila or other hard alcohol can treat or shorten the duration of colds, flu or other common illnesses. While alcohol may temporarily numb symptoms, it does not treat the underlying infection. In fact, alcohol likely worsens illness by dehydrating you, disrupting sleep, and depressing immune function. It also comes with risks like medication interactions, accidents, and addiction. Mild alcohol consumption may be okay in certain circumstances, but moderation is key. For the best recovery, rely on healthier alternatives like rest, hydration, nutrition, and over-the-counter remedies as needed. Allow your body’s natural defenses to fight off the infection without the unnecessary risks of tequila shots.