Alcohol and heat: a dangerous cocktail
Abuse of this substance under high temperatures increases the risk of heat stroke.
Although sitting on a terrace and drinking an ice-cold beer seems like an ideal way to cope with the stifling summer heat, it can actually be "counterproductive" if not done in moderation. This is the opinion of Emilio Salgado, the physician in charge of the Clinical Toxicology Unit at the Hospital Clínic in Barcelona. In fact, he recommends avoiding alcohol consumption when exposed to high temperatures.
He explains that the greatest risk of drinking alcohol in very hot weather is suffering from hyperthermia (or heat stroke), since consuming this substance can produce "vasodilation that affects and modifies the human body's heat loss mechanisms." Furthermore, it can also inhibit the antidiuretic hormone (ADH)—which regulates the amount of water in the body—causing the person who consumes alcohol to urinate more frequently and become dehydrated more quickly.
Beyond physiological problems, there can also be behavioral effects caused by alcohol consumption and worsened by heat, such as a decreased consciousness, behavioral changes that lead to increased aggression, or difficulty perceiving risk situations. "These are side effects derived from mixing alcohol and heat," he adds.
"In the end, it's about using common sense; there's nothing wrong with having a beer in moderation, the problem arises when there's too much. After all, the best option in the heat is to drink water," he concludes.
