Is it true that beer can kill colds?

According to a new study from Japan, consuming large quantities of a key ingredient in beer can protect against winter bugs. However, it sounds a bit too good to be true.

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So is it true? Can beer actually cure a cold?

Well, according to the reports we’re hearing today, yes it actually can. Apparently, if you drink enough beer you can help stave off the common winter sniffles and even some serious illnesses found in small children, reports AFP. However, like everything else that sounds too good to be true, there are some suspicious aspects to this story. The report hasn’t come from the Mayo Clinic or Johns Hopkins University Hospital, instead it has come from a Japanese brewery called Sapporo. So we’re sure they’re being a tad biased.

Ah, there’s always a catch. So how can beer help fight colds?

It’s all thanks to a chemical compound in hops, the plant used to give beer its bitter taste. The compound called humulone has been found to be effective in curbing the sniffles in adults and severe forms of pneumonia and bronchitis in youngsters, caused by the RS virus. In fairness to the brewery that commissioned the research, they had a helping hand from the Sapporo Medical University.

"The RS virus can cause serious pneumonia and breathing difficulties for infants and toddlers, but no vaccination is available at the moment to contain it," said Jun Fuchimoto, a researcher from the company.

Okay, so the burning question: how much beer do I have to drink to fight off infection?

According to Mr Fuchimoto, seeing as there is such a small quantity of humulone present in beer, you’d need to drink 30 cans for it to be effective.

"We are now studying the feasibility of applying humulone to food or non-alcoholic products," he said. "The challenge really is that the bitter taste is going to be difficult for children."

But just remember, this is a beer company who commissioned a report on how drinking beer can help stave off winter infections – oh, and they want you to drink 30 cans of the stuff as well. So just take it with a pinch of salt is all we’re saying…