Can Alcohol Cause Yeast Infections?

“You are what you eat.” While not exactly turning us into a fungus, the components of alcohol certainly add to the disastrous recipe of a yeast infection. 

The connection between alcohol and yeast infections is seldom talked about, especially since we typically don’t like talking about yeast infections in general. Having a better understanding of yeast infections, however, can help us keep them at bay. Let’s take a deep dive into how alcohol adds to the equation that results in a yeast infection.

What Are Yeast Infections?

Yeast infections are fungal infections that affect different parts of our body. The most common affected areas are our mouth, throat, genitals, and other mucous membranes. A yeast infection, or Candidiasis, stems from an overgrowth of yeast — Candida – found in our body.

Candida is normally present in our mucous membranes and aids with nutrient absorption and digestion. Healthy bacteria keep a balance of yeast levels in our body. A yeast infection occurs when yeast proliferates out of control or invades other areas of our body. The symptoms of a yeast infection may vary depending on where in the body it manifests, but symptoms commonly include the following:

• White, bumpy patches
• Pain or soreness
• Fatigue
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Nausea
• Sinus infection
• Skin or nail fungus
• Mood swings 
• Itchiness or redness

Now that we have a clearer picture of what a yeast infection is, how do we get rid of it?

Does Alcohol Kill Fungus and Yeast?

Alcohol is a common ingredient in cleaning products and disinfectants, as it kills certain bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This is true for alcohol at concentrated percentages between 60%–90%. 

Since alcohol at high concentrations can be used as a disinfectant, it is a common misconception that alcoholic beverages can also kill yeast and fungi. However, the alcohol we drink contains a much lower percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV), ranging from 5%–40%. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), alcoholic beverages can harm helpful bacteria in our body but do not kill yeast and fungi, as the high concentration needed would be deadly.

Although alcohol is used externally at high concentrations to kill bacteria and fungi, drinking alcoholic beverages does not have the same effect. In short, drinking alcohol will not help cure yeast infections. In fact, it may make them worse.

The Link Between Alcohol and Yeast Infections

Alcoholic beverages are made using yeast fermentation, which turns sugars into ethanol — the ingredient that causes intoxication. Surprisingly, even though yeast is the main component in producing alcohol, it’s not the main reason why alcohol and yeast infections are connected.

Alcohol is closely linked to yeast infections due to the way its toxins affect our bodies. The toxins negatively impact our gut microbiome, killing healthy bacteria that keep Candida levels in check. Excessive alcohol consumption can also cause a condition known as leaky gut syndrome in which harmful substances can escape from our GI tract and affect other areas of our body.

Clearly, drinking alcohol will not help heal a yeast infection. But will it cause one?

Does Drinking Alcohol Cause Yeast Infections?

Other factors may cock the gun for a yeast infection, but alcohol can be the trigger for firing it. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of developing a yeast infection through five main impacts on our body: 

1. Alcohol weakens the immune system. Alcohol kills healthy bacteria in our gut that act as our body’s first line of defense. It also decreases the production of antibodies, which help fight infections. When our immune system is compromised by alcohol, it gives yeast the perfect opportunity to overgrow and spread to other areas of our body. Think of our immune system as a security guard at a bank. If the security guard is called away for some reason, it gives bank robbers a better chance to get away with the money. In our bodies, a weakened immune system gives the chance for Candida to grow and spread.
2. Alcohol affects liver function. Our liver helps to filter out toxins in our body. This includes the toxins in alcohol and byproducts of Candida. When we drink alcohol, we put our liver into overdrive, leaving less manpower to fight against the toxins of yeast overgrowth — one of which includes acetaldehyde (ACH). Drinking alcohol compromises our body’s main filtration system, tasking the liver with eliminating ACH from both alcohol and Candida.
3. Alcohol stresses adrenal glands. Our adrenal glands produce hormones that regulate our immune system, metabolism, stress response, and other important functions. When we drink alcohol, our stress hormone, cortisol, is released, putting strain on our adrenal glands. This decreases our overall adrenal function, which helps to fight against fungal overgrowth, another stressor on our body.
4. Alcohol impacts blood glucose. Drinking alcohol causes spikes in our blood glucose levels. Since yeast feeds on sugar, high levels of glucose in our blood can encourage yeast overgrowth.
5. Alcohol feeds yeast. Alcohol consists of sugar and carbohydrates, which feed yeast and allow it to proliferate. It’s also a product of yeast fermentation, which adds to the overgrowth of fungus.

We can see how alcohol sets the stage for yeast infections, so what happens if we have one and continue to drink?

Consequences of Drinking With a Yeast Infection

Drinking alcohol fuels the fire of a yeast infection. The toxins in alcohol can further exacerbate the infection and cause increased or more severe symptoms. Some complications may even warrant the need for medical attention: 

• Heart arrhythmia 
• Dizziness 
• Brain fog
• Extreme fatigue 
• Vomiting 
• Extreme pain 

Drinking alcohol with a yeast infection will also delay healing. With decreased immune system function, our body is less equipped to fight against the infection. 

Alcohol can also cause long-term damage that can lead to chronic yeast infections and other health complications. A 2021 study of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) reported the following findings: 

• Patients with AUD had increased levels of certain fungi in their intestinal microbiome — including Candida.
• Abstinence from alcohol showed a decrease in fungal levels and improvements in overall liver health.

Drinking can increase susceptibility to developing a yeast infection anywhere on the body, but how do we treat symptoms commonly associated with an alcohol-related yeast infection?

How to Treat an Alcohol-Related Yeast Infection

Alcohol-related yeast infections primarily occur in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. There are several things we can do to aid the healing process.

• Stop drinking alcohol. Alcohol only adds fuel to the fire. While we’re healing, it’s best to drink plenty of water instead and consider the benefits of leaving alcohol behind altogether.
• Limit sugar intake Yeast feeds on sugars and starches. Eating a Candida-friendly diet of nonstarchy vegetables, lean proteins, and gluten-free grains can help us heal quickly.
• Take supplements. Vitamins and supplements can boost our immune system and replenish nutrients that produce good bacteria to rebalance our fungal microbiome. Although not a cure, supplements such as Vitamin C, probiotics, and caprylic acid are reported to be helpful.  
• Rebalance gut microbiome. Healthy bacteria in our gut help to keep normal fungal levels. Foods that are rich in prebiotics and probiotics can help repair our gut health. 
• Take medication. Antifungals and antibiotics are commonly prescribed to treat yeast infections. While there are no reported interactions between antifungals and alcohol, drinking is not recommended while taking medication as alcohol can further disrupt the fungal microbiome and decrease immune function.

Preventing Alcohol-Related Yeast Infections

The best way to avoid the unpleasant symptoms of a yeast infection is to try to prevent it from happening at all. Let’s take a look at four actionable steps we can take to reduce our risk of infection.

1. Practice moderation. Cutting back or quitting alcohol reduces the negative effects on our microbiome. It also helps to minimize other factors that help Candida thrive and populate. 
2. Choose intentionally. All alcoholic beverages have negative impacts, but some options are better than others. Opt for low-sugar spirits and mixers or try alcohol-free versions of your favorite drink. 
3. Stay hydrated. Proper hydration helps to ensure that our cells and organs are functioning optimally. This allows our systems that break down and eliminate toxins from alcohol to work at full capacity. 
4. Prioritize gut health. Aside from limiting toxic substances like alcohol, eating a balanced diet improves our overall immune system function and reduces the risk of fungal overgrowth.

The Bottom Line

Yeast infections are no fun. The bottle we poured with our favorite meal or the beers that disappeared during Sunday night football may unknowingly add to our risk of getting yeast infections. Over time, alcohol causes long-term damage to our immune system and fungal microbiome — setting the stage for chronic yeast infections. Cut back and prevent infections!