When a cold or the flu strikes, many people wonder if having a small glass of wine is acceptable or if it will hinder recovery. While rest and hydration are the standard advice, the idea of a comforting drink can be tempting. Understanding the biological and pharmacological effects of wine when the body is already fighting an illness is necessary.
Alcohol’s Impact on Immune Function
Ethanol, the alcohol found in wine, has a measurable effect on the body’s defenses, even from a single episode of consumption. When the immune system is actively engaged in fighting a virus or bacteria, alcohol can temporarily suppress the function of white blood cells. This suppression hinders the body’s ability to effectively combat the invading pathogen, potentially prolonging the duration of the illness.
Alcohol can impair the activity of both lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells. Lymphocytes target specific pathogens, while NK cells eliminate virus-infected cells. Reducing the efficacy of these cells weakens the immediate immune response, allowing the infection to persist. Alcohol exposure can also increase the release of inflammatory substances, which may worsen symptoms and increase discomfort.
Dangerous Interactions with Common Remedies
Combining wine with over-the-counter (OTC) cold and flu medications carries risks more serious than simply prolonging a cold. Many popular remedies contain ingredients that interact negatively with alcohol, increasing the chance of adverse side effects. The most significant danger involves acetaminophen, a common fever reducer and pain reliever. Since both alcohol and acetaminophen are processed by the liver, combining them significantly increases the risk of severe liver damage.
Other pain relievers, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, also pose a threat when mixed with alcohol. This combination increases the likelihood of stomach irritation, potentially leading to gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcers. Furthermore, many cold formulations include antihistamines or sleep aids. Alcohol intensifies the central nervous system depressant effects of these drugs, causing excessive drowsiness and impaired coordination.
How Wine Affects Hydration and Sleep
Recovery from illness relies heavily on adequate rest and fluid intake, both of which are negatively impacted by drinking wine. Alcohol is a diuretic, causing the kidneys to excrete more water than they retain. Since illness already causes fluid loss through fever or sweating, the diuretic effect of wine exacerbates dehydration. Dehydration thickens mucus and makes congestion worse, hindering the body’s ability to clear respiratory passages.
Even a small amount of wine can disrupt the quality of sleep, which is essential for healing. Alcohol fragments the sleep cycle, suppressing the restorative rapid eye movement (REM) phase. This poor-quality, fragmented rest is counterproductive to the recovery process. Alcohol can also temporarily dilate blood vessels, which may worsen nasal and sinus congestion.