Hosting a friendly gathering with punch or enjoying a glass of mulled wine may seem harmless. However, doctors, as reported by "Doctor Peter," advise exercising extreme caution with hot alcoholic beverages, and here's why, explains Tengri Life.
"There is a 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, after half an hour of boiling, about 50 percent of the alcohol remains in mulled wine. Therefore, the claim that alcohol has 'evaporated' is a myth," clarified addiction specialist Marina Kalyuzhnaya.
Moreover, intoxication from hot drinks occurs more rapidly.
"Heat accelerates the absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. Hot beverages quickly dilate blood vessels, facilitating a more intense influx of ethanol into the body. This can lead to a person becoming intoxicated faster than expected, even with a small amount consumed," she explained.
Cardiovascular surgeon Nikolai Talov also shared his expert opinion on this matter.
"Of course, some alcohol evaporates along with water during the preparation of beverages, but the percentage of alcohol does not change significantly, as we are not distilling the product. There may be physical and chemical nuances to this process, but within the framework of standard recipes, they do not significantly affect the alcohol content," he emphasized.
According to him, warm alcohol participates in biochemical processes more quickly.
"Small doses induce relaxation and euphoria. Next comes disinhibition, impaired coordination, and other reactions. The subsequent stage is sedation (a sleep-like state similar to that induced by narcotics) and disruption of vital functions (such as breathing). It is better not to reach this point," the doctor believes.
Hot drinks disrupt the body's normal thermoregulation, creating a false sense of warmth.
"This occurs due to the dilation of small blood vessels (capillaries) close to the skin. The skin releases more heat, and the body quickly loses it," Talov explained.
Physiologically, the body's normal response to cold is to conserve heat. This means that capillaries should, conversely, constrict to retain warmth and allow the body to continue functioning. By accelerating heat loss, alcohol can lead to hypothermia and even frostbite.
Kalyuzhnaya noted that some winter drink recipes contain potentially dangerous components.
"For example, eggnog (a mixture of milk, raw eggs, and brandy) can pose a risk of salmonella infection if the eggs are poorly processed," she stated.
Adding cognac to coffee or strengthening tea with whiskey may seem like a good idea to some. However, such combinations may not be well-received by the body.
"Teas 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 is responsible for processing this cocktail.
"Alcohol and coffee compete with each other at the metabolic level, complicating and slowing down each other's processing. At the same time, alcohol tends to remain in the bloodstream a bit longer, exerting its effects," Talov explained.
He emphasized that alcoholic beverages are inherently high in calories. Adding sugar, whipped cream, sweet syrup, or liqueur can turn a single serving into a calorie bomb.
Kalyuzhnaya warned that regular consumption of such "harmless" drinks, even in small amounts, can gradually lead to the development of alcohol dependence.
"If you include alcohol in your daily habits, be cautious: even one or two servings of such drinks a day can eventually impact your health," the addiction specialist warned.
Let us remind you that earlier experts identified the alcoholic beverage that could be the most dangerous to health during the New Year celebrations.
“Festive Heart”: the main ailment of New Year gatherings has been named