Good news lads and lasses - we've just been given another excuse to booze. It's for our health, we swear.
That man/wo-man flu can hit hard, and we aren't immune to it in summer unfortunately. But some scientists from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center have given us some great news: whiskey can help relieve those bloody awful cold symptoms.
Dr. William Shaffner says: "It would not have an effect on the virus itself, but its effect on the body can possibly give you some modest symptom relief. The alcohol dilates blood vessels a little bit, and that makes it easier for your mucus membranes to deal with the infection."
Sounds good to us. Plus you'll be a bit pissed, so that's always a plus.
The best way to take your whiskey to help relieve your symptoms is in the form of a hot toddy - hot water to relieve your congestion, and honey and lemon to soothe your sore throat. Just mix a shot or two of whiskey with a few teaspoons of honey, 200ml of hot water and a splash of lemon juice.
While it's tempting to go all out, it's not advised to just get fully pissed in the hopes you'll cure yourself: "We would not recommend going out and drinking 30 bottles of beer every day to ward off the flu," Dr Shaffner said.
Yeah, we probably wouldn't recommend a hangover on top of the flu - but a couple whiskeys definitely won't hurt. Get on it peeps.
