Asthma is a negative reaction to allergens entering the body, and two types of allergens can be found in alcohol:
Histamines, a common allergen, is produced by bacteria and yeast during alcohol fermentation. Sulfites, on the other hand, are added as a preservative for wine and beer. There are fewer cases of allergic reactions to sulfites with around 10 percent of asthmatic people showing sensitivity to the allergen.
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A lot of research is still needed to establish a clear connection between alcoholic drinks and asthma, and not all people with asthma would experience an attack triggered by alcohol. In a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 33 percent of 350 adults surveyed reported an asthma attack induced by an alcoholic beverage in at least two occasions, and that mild to moderate symptoms occurred within an hour of drinking. The same study reported that wine seemed more allergenic.
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Whether or not one should avoid drinking alcohol depends on the person’s level of sensitivity to allergens that exist in the beverage.
Lisa Marie Cannon is a board-certified physician and has more than 15 years of experience in pulmonary medicine and critical care. She has her own private practice in New Jersey. For more articles on pulmonary medicine, visit this Facebook page.
Dr. Lisa Marie Cannon 
