Can You Drink Alcohol If You Have Covid-19?
November 25, 2021 - Alcohol Addiction, Health & Wellness - 0 Comments
Why Limiting Your Alcohol Intake Can Be Good For You In A Pandemic?
You’ve tested positive for Covid-19 and you’re wondering whether it is safe to drink alcohol. Can you drink some wine to help you sleep?
Or perhaps some whisky or beer to cure your boredom? These are some questions frequently asked by people who are down with the coronavirus. So can you drink alcohol if you have Covid-19? No, it is not recommended to drink alcohol when you have the virus. While this blog is in no way meant to replace medical advice, we want to share some insights on why avoiding alcohol is the best way forward when you’re sick. We will also share some tips on what to drink instead to feel better and get healthier.
Alcohol Is Not the Cure
It is very common for people to reach for alcohol when they are feeling bad. Some people drink wine when they are feeling anxious, while others drown themselves in beer when they are depressed. Others drink alcohol when they can’t sleep, can’t eat, or feel pain.
Because alcohol can provide temporary numbness, some people think that it can cure whatever pain they are experiencing. However, it’s actually the opposite. When your mind or body is dealing with something, drinking alcohol can make your condition worse.
This is also true when it comes to illnesses such as Covid-19. There is no truth to the false beliefs that drinking alcohol is a cure for Covid-19. On the contrary, alcohol is known to compromise the body’s immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infections.
When you have the coronavirus, your immune system is already compromised. Your body is already trying to battle out the disease so drinking alcohol will only make things worse by further compromising your immune system, which needs all its strength. What you should be doing is giving your immune system a boost, not weakening it further.
Alcohol will only slow down your healing process and may weaken you further. This could even result in more serious complications. If you are already feeling bad, it’s best to stay away from alcohol as much as possible.
What Can You Drink Instead?
While it is recommended that you avoid drinking any alcohol when sick with Covid-19 or other coronavirus strains, there are still beverages that you can drink or take instead to help boost your immune system and help ward off the symptoms. Here are some of them:
Water
Water is the best drink to have when you are sick. It keeps your system hydrated, can flush out toxins from your body, and will ultimately boost your immune system. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses a day is recommended, but increasing your intake when you’re sick is even better.
Coconut Water
Coconut water can be a refreshing beverage when you are not feeling well. It is high in nutrients and electrolytes like potassium, niacin, and riboflavin. It also has antibacterial and anti-viral properties that can help your body fight off infections. Coconut water also helps regulate blood sugar levels and boosts the body’s metabolism rate.
Ginger Tea
Drinking hot ginger tea is a great way to soothe your throat and boost your immune system. It can also be a good natural remedy for nausea and diarrhea, two common symptoms of Covid-19. All you need to do is boil slices of ginger root and sweeten it with honey before drinking.
Citrus Drinks
Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are high in Vitamin C, which is essential to your immune system. Drinking freshly squeezed orange juice can be a good way to get more Vitamin C when you are sick, while lemonade or other citrus drinks like lime and grapefruit juices stimulate the liver’s detoxification process, which helps cleanse your body of toxins.
Soup and Broth
Soup and broth can be a great way to eat healthy when you are sick. They provide the body with nutrients it needs like proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, and vitamins. The hot soup also helps soothe your throat, which is usually irritated from coughing or sneezing.
Keep Your Body Healthy and Alcohol-Free During the Pandemic
Drinking alcohol is not a viable way of treating Covid-19 or other coronavirus infections. It will only make your condition worse and may even hinder the healing process. This is especially important during a pandemic when you need all of your strength to help battle off the virus.
If you are struggling with alcohol abuse, help is available.
Contact Lighthouse Treatment Center today.