Having a sore throat can be uncomfortable and irritating. When you’re not feeling well, a nice cold beer may seem like just what you need to soothe your throat and help you relax. However, is beer actually a good choice when you have a sore throat? Let’s take a closer look.
What causes a sore throat?
There are a few common causes of a sore throat:
- Viral infections – Viruses like cold, flu, mono, etc. can cause throat pain and inflammation.
- Bacterial infections – Strep throat is a bacterial throat infection that causes sore throat.
- Allergies – Allergens like pollen or pet dander can irritate the throat.
- Dry air – Dry indoor air from heating or air conditioning can dry out and irritate the throat.
- Smoking – Smoking cigarettes or vaping can irritate the throat.
- Yelling/singing – Overusing the voice can strain the throat muscles.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – Stomach acid backing up into the throat can cause soreness.
So in most cases, a sore throat is caused by some kind of irritation, inflammation, or infection of the throat tissue itself. This makes the throat feel scratchy, raspy, and painful. The pain often gets worse when you swallow.
Can beer soothe a sore throat?
When you have a sore, scratchy throat, a cold beer may seem like a quick way to numb the discomfort temporarily. However, most experts advise against drinking alcohol when you have a throat infection.
Here are some potential pros and cons of drinking beer with a sore throat:
Possible pros:
- Cold temperature can temporarily numb pain
- Carbonation can temporarily soothe throat
- Alcohol may help you relax
Possible cons:
- Alcohol can irritate the throat and worsen inflammation
- Carbonation can cause throat irritation
- Alcohol can dehydrate the body and worsen throat dryness
- Impaired immunity makes it harder to fight infection
- Blood vessel dilation from alcohol can increase swelling
While the coldness and carbonation of beer may temporarily numb your throat discomfort, the alcohol and bubbles can actually irritate the throat more. Drinking alcohol also causes dehydration, which can thicken mucus and make throat pain worse.
How does alcohol affect throat infections?
Research shows that alcohol has a negative impact on the immune system and body’s ability to heal from infections. Here’s how alcohol affects viral and bacterial throat infections specifically:
Viral sore throat
Alcohol consumption can slow the ability of cells to respond to viral infections. Studies show that alcohol suppresses antiviral immune responses, allowing viruses to more easily replicate. This likely worsens and prolongs viral throat infections.
Strep throat
Strep throat is caused by a bacterial infection of Streptococcus pyogenes. Research indicates that alcohol can reduce the ability of white blood cells to kill streptococcus bacteria. This impairs the body’s ability to fight off strep infections.
Overall, multiple studies demonstrate that alcohol suppresses immune factors that help fight viral and bacterial throat infections. Drinking beer can potentially prolong how long it takes for your sore throat to go away.
Other risks of drinking with a sore throat
Beyond impairing your body’s ability to heal, drinking beer with a sore throat has some other potential risks and side effects to consider:
- Upset stomach – Alcohol can irritate the digestive system, especially if you are taking certain medications. This can worsen GERD-related sore throat.
- Medication interactions – Alcohol doesn’t mix safely with all medications you may take for a sore throat.
- Masking serious illness – Alcohol can hide symptoms of serious conditions like strep throat or mono.
- Dehydration – Alcohol is a diuretic that can dry out your throat even more.
- Impaired judgment – Drinking when sick can lead to poor self care and health decisions.
It’s generally best to avoid alcohol when you already don’t feel well or have an infection. Drinking beer could potentially make your sore throat and other symptoms worse.
What about non-alcoholic beer?
Non-alcoholic beer eliminates the risks of consuming alcohol while sick. However, it still contains carbonation and some ingredients that could irritate a sore throat. The carbonation in soda and beer can cause throat muscles to contract. And ingredients like hops and yeast contain acids and compounds that may aggravate throat pain.
So while non-alcoholic beer avoids the immune impairment of alcohol, it may not feel soothing on an inflamed throat. You’re likely better off sticking to warm teas and broths.
When should you avoid alcohol completely?
There are certain situations when you should avoid all alcohol consumption – even beers low in alcohol:
- If you have an infection requiring antibiotics or other medication that interacts with alcohol.
- If you have been diagnosed with strep throat, mono, or another contagious illness.
- If your sore throat is accompanied by severe pain, high fever, pus, or trouble breathing/swallowing.
Drinking any amount of alcohol is not advised under these circumstances. The risks outweigh any potential benefits.
Healthier beverage options for sore throat
While beer may not be the best choice when you don’t feel well, there are many soothing beverages that can actually help a sore throat:
| Beverage | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Warm teas | Soothe irritated tissues, provide antioxidants, reduce inflammation |
| Honey tea | Honey coats and soothes throat, provides antioxidants |
| Broths | Warmth eases pain, hydrates tissues, replenishes electrolytes |
| Licorice root tea | Calms cough, eases swelling and irritation |
| Marshmallow root tea | Soothes irritated mucous membranes |
| Herbal throat lozenges | Numbs throat temporarily, antiviral/antibacterial properties |
| Apple cider vinegar | Kills bacteria, soothes tissues, reduces mucus |
| Ginger tea | Reduces inflammation, stimulates immunity |
| Lemon water | Vitamin C boosts immunity, antioxidants reduce swelling |
Sipping warm, soothing beverages can help relieve throat discomfort, keep your throat moist, and speed up healing. Avoiding alcohol and drinking plenty of fluids is key.
The bottom line
Having a beer may seem like a quick fix for a sore throat, but it can actually do more harm than good. Alcohol can irritate the throat, worsen inflammation, impair immunity, and interfere with medication. The risks generally outweigh any temporary numbing benefits.
While non-alcoholic beer avoids the immune suppression of alcohol, it still contains irritating bubbles and ingredients. You’re better off sticking to water, teas, broths, and other healthy drinks when you’re ill. Avoid all alcohol if you have a severe, contagious, or antibiotic-requiring throat infection. With rest and proper care, your sore throat should resolve itself soon.