In an article published in the July edition of Clinical and Experimental Allergy shows the results of a Danish study involving over 5000 women between the ages of 20 and 29 who were not currently suffering from Allergic Rhinitis (AR), an upper respiratory disease also known as Hay Fever. The participants filled out a lifestyle questionairre including questions relating to alcohol consumption. After 7 to 9 years these same women were questioned about whether they suffered from AR and what their alcohol consumption had been like during the past years. The results were quite astonishing: for every additional drink consumed per week, participants have a 3% higher chance of developing AR. At 14 or more drinks per week, women had a 78% chance of developing AR.

The study was limited to women only; who may experience a more pronounced effect than men because alcohol exerts a stronger effect on women’s immune systems.

A full copy of the press release can be found at Eureka Alert.