23 December 2024 | 13:26

Experts warn about the dangers of hot alcoholic beverages

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Tengrinews.kz - Gathering with friends over a glass of mulled wine or punch might seem harmless, but experts advise caution with hot alcoholic drinks, according to Doctor Piter.

"There is a common belief that alcohol completely evaporates when heated. However, studies show that even after prolonged heating, a significant portion of alcohol remains in the drinks. For instance, about 50 percent of the alcohol remains in mulled wine after 30 minutes of cooking. So the claim that the alcohol has 'evaporated' is a myth," explained narcologist Marina Kalyuzhnaya.

Moreover, intoxication occurs faster with hot drinks.

"Heat accelerates the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. Hot drinks quickly dilate blood vessels, facilitating a more intensive intake of ethanol. This can lead to a person becoming intoxicated faster than expected, even with a small amount consumed," she noted.

Cardiovascular surgeon Nikolay Talov also shared his professional opinion on the matter.

"Of course, some alcohol evaporates along with water during preparation, but the percentage of alcohol content doesn’t significantly change since we are not distilling the product. There might be some physical-chemical nuances to this process, but they don’t have a significant impact within the framework of standard recipes," he emphasized.

According to him, warm alcohol participates more rapidly in biochemical processes.

"Small doses cause relaxation and euphoria. Further effects include disinhibition, impaired coordination, and other reactions. The next stage is sedation (narcotic-like sleep) and the disruption of vital functions, such as breathing. Naturally, it’s better not to let it get to this point," Talov warned.

Hot alcoholic beverages also disrupt the body’s natural thermoregulation, creating a false sense of warmth.

"This happens because of the dilation of small blood vessels (capillaries) near the skin. The skin releases more heat, and the body loses it quickly," Talov explained.

Physiologically, the body’s normal reaction to cold is to conserve heat. Capillaries should constrict to retain warmth and allow the body to keep functioning. By accelerating heat loss, alcohol can lead to hypothermia and even frostbite.

Kalyuzhnaya also pointed out that some winter drink recipes contain potentially hazardous ingredients.

"For example, eggnog (a mixture of milk, raw eggs, and brandy) can cause salmonella infection if the eggs are not properly treated," she said.

Adding cognac to coffee or whiskey to tea might seem like a good idea to some, but such combinations can strain the body.

"Tea and coffee cocktails with added alcohol increase the load on the heart due to the combination of caffeine and ethanol," Kalyuzhnaya clarified.

The liver also suffers as it processes these cocktails.

"Alcohol and coffee compete at the metabolic level, complicating and slowing the processing of both. As a result, alcohol stays in the bloodstream a little longer, prolonging its effects," Talov explained.

He also noted that alcoholic drinks are very calorie-dense. Adding sugar, whipped cream, sweet syrup, or liqueur turns a single serving into a caloric bomb.

According to Kalyuzhnaya, regular consumption of seemingly harmless drinks like mulled wine, even in small amounts, can subtly lead to alcohol dependency.

"If you include alcohol in your daily habits, be cautious: even one or two servings of such drinks a day can eventually affect your health," the addiction specialist warned.

Previously, scientists identified a drink that blocks alcohol cravings.

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