Guinness x Egypt: A Personal Immunity

We arrived in Aswan around noon. The weather warm. The air less smoggy than Cairo. We checked into the Old Cataract Hotel, where the original Death on the Nile was shot. Finally, a bit of room to breathe and relax.

We hired a felucca to get to Elephantine Island across the way. It was beautiful. The sun a large as can be. Then some water from the Nile hit my face. The horror. No worries, we thought, nothing can happen to a 20-something in one of the most ancient countries in the world.

Then, I came down with the weirdest, most intense “cold” I’ve ever had. Eyes were sealed shut like with crazy glue in the morning. My throat was so sore that I kept losing my voice. I hadn’t had laryngitis since I was a kid and that was maybe once. Of course, I didn't stay in bed as there was much to explore- nothing gets you down when you’re that young. I picked up an Egyptian form of Dayquil-Nyquil gel capsules at the local pharmacy and started feeling fine. See, no problem.

Then the weird thing happened back home. The laryngitis kept popping up a year or two after my return to San Francisco. Out of nowhere. No cold or flu. I had one of those lovely seductive raspy voices that has the allure of a well-traveled woman with no health insurance.

Enter Guinness. Of course, we are out and about because San Francisco back then was better than it is now. A pint of Guinness seemed to take away the sore throat and hoarseness. Not once, but years after. It truly is mother’s milk. Actually, better.

“Luck comes to the bold.”

— Virgil

Science

The higher levels of beta-glucans and arabinoxylans in unmalted beers like Guinness may activate immunity. Beta-glucan is a known antimicrobial. Antibodies increase with arabinoxylans after getting the flu vaccine. Both beta-glucan and arabinoxylan may activate immune cells, like macrophages, by binding to receptors denoted PRR (Pattern Recognition Receptor). With the results of more studies pending, arabinoxylan may become a reliable nutraceutical for cold and flu season. COVID season?

Bottom Line

This is how scientific discoveries are made. By accident and self-experimentation. Sometimes and with caution. Maybe a bit of luck. The story presented here is one that worked out for one person. Guinness has made no claim to the health benefits of its stout. But, plenty of ads back in the day promoted its goodness. And a certain time of the year revives legends of how Guinness can be good for one’s health like the prevention of heart attacks. Cheers to a pint.

“When health is bad and your heart feels strange
And your face is pale and wan,
When doctors say you need a change,
A pint of plain is your only man.
Flann O’Brien (Brian O’Nolan)”

— Flann O'Brien, A Workman’s Friend (Excerpt)

1920s ad for Guinness. This was apparently after drinkers claimed they felt better after a pint. (Image: BBC)

*This is not meant for medical or healthcare advice. Please consult with your physician or medical professional prior to indulging in Guinness for laryngitis, raspy voice or soar throat. Or anything else. Drink responsibly or not at all.

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