Does alcohol really drive away cold? Know the truth.
Alcohol doesn't actually warm the body, but rather makes it more sensitive to cold. According to experts, drinking alcohol dilates blood vessels in the body and increases blood flow to the skin's surface.
A mild winter has begun in North India. As temperatures drop, people resort to various methods to ward off the cold. To combat the chill, people often resort to lighting bonfires, eating hot food, and some even resort to alcohol. You may have heard the common belief that drinking alcohol reduces the chill, but do you know how much truth there is to this? So, let's explore whether alcohol really does ward off the chill and what the real facts are.
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In fact, according to experts, alcohol doesn't actually warm the body, but rather makes it more sensitive to cold. According to experts, drinking alcohol dilates blood vessels in the body and increases blood flow to the skin's surface. This may create a temporary feeling of warmth, but it actually lowers the body's core temperature.
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Some experts also suggest that drinking alcohol in the cold can be dangerous. Alcohol lowers body temperature more rapidly in cold weather, meaning drinking whiskey or rum and going out in the cold can be very dangerous.
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When the body temperature drops below 35 degrees, it's called hypothermia. This condition can be fatal. Drinking alcohol causes body heat to be concentrated at the skin's surface and prevents it from reaching core organs, such as the heart, lungs, and brain, increasing the risk of hypothermia.
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Experts say that alcohol suppresses the body's natural shivering response, which is the body's natural way of keeping warm in the cold. This makes the body more vulnerable to cold.
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Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it causes frequent urination. In winter, we generally drink less water, so frequent urination dehydrates the body. This reduces the body's ability to regulate temperature, making it feel even colder.
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Additionally, alcohol affects heart rate and blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke, especially in people with pre-existing heart conditions.
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After drinking alcohol, a person feels less cold, which can lead to them going outside without a jacket or coat. This causes a sudden drop in body temperature, which can even prove fatal.
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According to experts, the best way to avoid the cold is to wear warm clothing, drink warm foods like soup or tea, and stay hydrated. Experts say alcohol provides temporary warmth, but it's not a permanent or safe solution to ward off the cold.