Fight hay fever with gin and tonic: Alcohol works on allergies, according to study

Created: 07/09/2022, 3:00 p.m

By: Laura Knops

A glass of gin and tonic and the allergy symptoms are gone.

But can alcoholic beverages really help against allergy symptoms?

Munich – The pollen season started very early this year.

But even in summer, allergy sufferers often still have to struggle with symptoms.

While some resort to medication, others hole up at particularly bad times and prefer to stay at home.

However, allergy sufferers do not have to miss out on a social evening in the park.

Because apart from pills, an unusual home remedy is supposed to alleviate hay fever.

A recent study shows that gin and tonic, of all things, irritates the mucous membranes less than other alcoholic beverages in the case of a pollen allergy.

Combat hay fever with gin and tonic:

Gin is said to contain so-called antihistamines, which reduce the release of histamine in the body and may alleviate hay fever symptoms.

(Iconic image) © chandlervid85/IMAGO

According to the Robert Koch Institute, around 12.5 million people suffer from hay fever.

Although there are numerous medications available in pharmacies to combat the annoying allergy symptoms, many allergy sufferers like to use home remedies.

But just an alcoholic drink should now be the solution to the annoying symptoms.

British scientists have discovered that gin and tonic of all things should help against hay fever, as Asthma UK reports.

The reason for this are certain ingredients in the gin.

Whether beer, wine or schnapps - alcohol contains the messenger substances histamine and sulfite, which also play an important role in hay fever symptoms.

If an allergic reaction occurs in the body, histamines are released.

The messenger substance histamine not only causes the symptoms, but can also intensify the pollen allergy.

If more messenger substances get into the body as a result of the alcohol, the immune response is all the stronger.

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Fight hay fever with gin and tonic: good for the mucous membranes?

Around 64 percent of asthma patients complain of increased symptoms after drinking alcohol, according to a survey by The Independent.

However, while wine and beer contain particularly high levels of histamine, clear spirits such as gin and vodka contain significantly less histamine.

As a result, virtually no histamines are produced during the distillation of gin.

The same goes for vodka.

The good news: Gin is even said to contain so-called antihistamines, which reduce the release of histamine in the body and may alleviate the symptoms - or at least not make them worse.

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However, it has not yet been clearly proven that gin and tonic can really relieve itchy eyes, runny noses and other complaints.

The drink can only be described as "asthma-friendly".

Doctors therefore advise: Allergy sufferers should avoid alcohol - especially in the acute phase of their allergy.

If you still want to have a drink, it is better to use clear alcohol.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication.

In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor.

Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.