The summer sun can be a double-edged sword for hayfever sufferers with the pollen count rising as well as the mercury.
A trip to the beer garden or a family BBQ can often result in watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing fits and even an itchy throat.
Thankfully for the millions of people in the UK who suffer from the common allergy, a study has found that switching up your alcoholic drinks might actually help to ease the symptoms.
Research by Asthma UK found that clear spirits are better at combatting hayfever symptoms than darker, fermented drinks such a beer and red wine which 75 per cent of sufferers claim can actually make hayfever and asthma worse by triggering the allergies.
Some beers and wines may contain histamine and sulphites, while gin contains a lower histamine content and no sulphites.
While a wee G & T won't actually cure the symptoms, they will help to not aggravate them further, meaning they are probably a better choice for a spot of al fresco drinking.
As with all things involving alcohol, it's better to only drink in moderation to ensure that keeping your allergies under check is all you need to worry about this summer.
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