As Britain endures a heatwave this week, health officials are cautioning against the risks of consuming alcohol.
While a cold beer or chilled wine might seem ideal after a sweltering day, warnings urge extra care, as high temperatures significantly intensify alcohol’s effects.
Many will recognise feeling light-headed after just a drink or two, experiencing faster intoxication, or suffering a particularly severe hangover after drinking in the sun. This occurs because extreme heat already strains the body, a burden alcohol only compounds.
Here’s some reasons why alcohol can affect you more in the heat – and what you can do to stay safe while enjoying the sunshine.
Accelerates dehydration
“People often get caught out in the heat because they will go for cold alcoholic drinks and are often tripped into thinking that because these beverages feel refreshing that they must be hydrating,” says Dr Amel Imam (Dr Mel), NHS GP and medical director at Pharmulous.
“However, your body needs lots of water, or something that contains a high water content in order to function properly.
“Alcohol is a diuretic, and diuretics help relieve the body of fluid. Therefore, if you compile that with the heat, when we are sweating lots, that poses a higher risk of dehydration, particularly in more vulnerable groups.”
The stronger the alcohol concentration, the worse the effects can be, she adds.
“Hangovers also often feel worse because people aren’t drinking enough water so then feel the effects of dehydration, such as headaches, and feel particularly groggy,” says Imam.
Blood vessels widen
“When it’s really hot, your body tends to let your blood vessels widen to try and keep you cool, but alcohol also does the same thing which can increase your risk of feeling light-headed or faint,” says Dr Opel Baker, GP at Mayfield Clinic in Brighton.
Impacts your judgment and awareness
“Drinking alcohol can also impair your judgment and the big issue is that it makes people less likely to recognise the signs of heat illnesses or dehydration,” says Baker.
Alcohol can also impact your perception of risk.
“Alcohol disinhibits you in many ways, in terms of what you would do normally versus what you do under the influence of alcohol,” says Baker.
“So, if you drinking near a body of water like a river, for example, you might do something more risky than you normal would because you can’t assess risk effectively and therefore might put yourself in danger.”
Are some groups more vulnerable than others?
“I think that it’s particularly important to note that some groups are more vulnerable than others, such as the older population,” says Imam.
People on certain medication also need to be careful.
“If you’re on heart medication, for example, you may already be on a type of diuretic, or one that supports lowering blood pressure, therefore drinking lots of alcohol can pose a higher risk of dehydration and heat-related illnesses,” says Imam.
Here are some tips to help you stay safe if you are planning on drinking alcohol in the heat this summer…
Be mindful
“It’s not that you can’t drink alcohol in the heat at all, but it’s important to be aware of these risks and be mindful of your consumption,” says Imam. “Enjoy yourself, but try to be as safe as possible.”
Eat before you start drinking
“If you know that you’re going to be drinking, never go out and drink on an empty stomach. Make sure you eat something beforehand,” recommends Baker.
Try zebra striping
“There is something called zebra striping, where people will drink a soft drink or water between alcoholic drinks,” says Baker. “It’s quite a good way of reducing the amount of alcohol that you’re having, and helps keep you hydrated.”
Read more: Zebra striping: The drinking trend that helps you cut down on alcohol and saves you money too
Dress for the weather
“Make sure that you’re wearing loose-fitting clothing made from natural breathable materials like cotton,” recommends Baker. “Also, don’t forget about things like sunscreen and a hat to protect you from the sun.”
Drink plenty of water
“Try to aim for two to three litres of water per day to keep on top of your hydration needs,” advises Imam.
Try to stay cool
“Try to stay in the shade and keep your temperature down as much as possible,” advises Imam.
Know your limits
“Don’t drink more than you can handle and don’t drink more than you normally would,” advises Baker. “It might potentially be a good idea to drink less than you normally would, knowing that the weather is against you.”
