Alcohol and Multiple Sclerosis: What You Need to Know

Imagine you're out for dinner with friends on a Friday night, enjoying light conversation after a long work week. The waitress comes to take your order, and you're about to ask for your usual glass of red wine when you pause—you've just been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). Is it okay to drink alcohol, or could it worsen your symptoms?

This article explores what MS is, how alcohol affects those living with the condition, and offers practical tips for managing it.

What Is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease of the central nervous system that disrupts communication between the brain and spinal cord. It's considered an autoimmune disorder, where the body mistakenly attacks itself, though environmental factors, viruses, and genetics may also contribute.

In MS, the protective myelin sheath around nerve fibers is damaged, forming scar tissue called sclerosis. This damage prevents nerves from conducting electrical impulses properly, leading to unpredictable symptoms like numbness, tingling, mood changes, memory issues, pain, and fatigue. Symptoms vary widely—some people experience mild, short-term effects, while others may face paralysis or loss of vision, speech, or mobility.

How Does Alcohol Affect Multiple Sclerosis?

The relationship between alcohol and MS is complex. Some studies suggest alcohol might temporarily worsen symptoms, while others indicate it could calm an overactive immune system. Since MS involves chronic inflammation, therapies often aim to suppress immune responses. Some research shows regular alcohol intake may suppress certain immune functions, but evidence is inconclusive, and more studies are needed.

However, there are clear potential downsides to drinking alcohol with MS:

• Worsened MS symptoms: Alcohol can impair coordination, balance, and speech—issues already common in MS. As a central nervous system depressant, it slows brain and spinal cord reactions, leading to slower thinking, weaker physical responses, and increased unsteadiness. Alcohol is also a diuretic, which can worsen overactive bladder symptoms.
• Altered mood: Mood disorders like anxiety and depression are more common and severe in people with MS. Alcohol may provide a temporary mood boost but disrupts neurotransmitter balance, potentially increasing depression and anxiety over time. Studies link problematic drinking to higher anxiety and suicidal thoughts in MS patients.
• Harmful medication interactions: Common MS medications include muscle relaxants, antidepressants, anti-inflammatories, and pain relievers. Combining these with alcohol can increase sedative effects, raise the risk of stomach bleeding, and worsen depression. Alcohol can also deplete essential nutrients like zinc.

Is Red Wine Bad for MS?

Red wine is often praised for its antioxidants, but is it safe for MS? A 2017 study found that people who drank three glasses of red wine weekly had lower neurological disability, but MRI scans showed more brain lesions. While more research is needed, avoiding alcohol is generally healthier, as it can increase risks of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and certain cancers—conditions that could complicate MS.

Does Drinking Alcohol Cause MS?

Evidence on alcohol as a risk factor for MS is mixed. Some older studies suggested daily hard liquor consumption increased MS risk, while others found moderate drinking halved the odds. Recent research shows no significant link, so there's no conclusive proof that alcohol causes MS.

Healthier Drink Alternatives for MS

If alcohol isn't ideal, what can you drink instead?

• Water: Essential for hydration, water helps reduce bladder and bowel symptoms, eases medication side effects, and combats fatigue and mental decline.
• Coffee: Research suggests coffee and caffeine may protect against MS due to anti-inflammatory and nervous system-stimulating properties. Just balance it with water to avoid dehydration.
• Green tea: Its active compound, EGCG, may help modulate immune cell function and improve autoimmune disease symptoms like those in MS.

What Is the Treatment for MS?

There's no cure for MS, so treatment focuses on managing the condition and easing symptoms. Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs)—taken as pills, injections, or infusions—can reduce relapses and slow new lesion formation, especially when started early. Treatment plans are personalized and may involve neurologists, physiotherapists, and other specialists.

Tips for Managing MS

Alongside medical treatment, these lifestyle strategies can help manage MS symptoms:

• Eat nutritious food: A balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, lean protein, omega-3s, and fiber boosts energy and prevents constipation.
• Keep your body moving: Regular exercise improves flexibility, balance, and symptoms like fatigue and cognitive issues. Physical therapy can target weak areas.
• Exercise your brain: Engage in mentally challenging activities like puzzles, reading, or classes to maintain cognitive sharpness.
• Practice stress management: Meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing, and social connections can improve quality of life and potentially slow disease progression.
• Protect your mental health: Seek therapy or medication for depression, and consider joining an MS support group to reduce isolation.

The Bottom Line

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic condition with symptoms ranging from fatigue to coordination problems. While alcohol doesn't increase MS risk, it can worsen symptoms like imbalance and lack of coordination. Healthier drink options include water, coffee, and green tea. Managing MS effectively involves a combination of medical care, healthy eating, physical and mental exercise, and stress reduction.

If you're finding it hard to control your alcohol intake, consider trying Quitemate. It's a neuroscience-backed app that has helped many people reduce their drinking and build healthier, happier lives.