Mixing sunny days and alcoholic beverages could take a toll on your health
We Brits are known for our love of a chilled bevvy as soon as the sun makes an appearance – be it a can in the park or a pint in the pub garden. However, while basking in the sun with a drink in hand may seem like the perfect summer scenario to many, this combination can have some surprising and potentially damaging effects on your health.
From accelerating dehydration to heightening your risk of sunburn and impairing judgement in the heat, the consequences of mixing sunshine and alcohol are more serious than most realise.
In light of Alcohol Awareness Week (July 7–13), the following advice from experts will help you - and us - understand exactly what impact drinking in the sun can have on our bodies, and have compiled some handy tips to help mitigate these risks.
Dehydration
"Dehydration is the main culprit when it comes to consuming alcohol in the sunshine, leading to unpleasant symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea and fatigue, and in some instances requiring medical intervention," points out Dr Richard Piper, CEO of Alcohol Change UK.
Dr Ajay Bagga, senior GP leader at Nuffield Health, concurs and elaborates: "This is because alcohol functions as a diuretic, causing you to urinate more and lose vital fluids. Combine this with sweating from the heat, and the risk of dehydration escalates rapidly."
On particularly hot days, Piper emphasises that the safest course of action is to abstain from alcohol entirely. However, if that's not feasible, he suggests alternating between alcoholic drinks and water.
"This method, known as zebra striping, slows down our alcohol consumption and keeps us topped up with the fluids we need to prevent the dehydration double whammy of alcohol and hot weather," explains Piper. "If it's really hot, consider two glasses of water for one glass of alcohol."
Bagga also suggests always having a refillable water bottle on hand during the summer months and taking regular sips, even if you're not feeling parched.
Heat stroke and heat exhaustion
Heatwaves can be perilous in their own right – and adding alcohol into the equation can further heighten your risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
"Alcohol impairs your body's ability to sense and regulate temperature," explains Bagga. "Combined with high heat, this can lead to heat exhaustion – or worse, heat stroke, which can be life-threatening." To help mitigate this risk, try to stay in the shade during peak UV times, when the sun's rays are at their most potent.
"Minimise this risk by avoiding alcohol during the hottest part of the day (typically 11am–3pm) and sticking to shaded or air-conditioned areas," advises Bagga. "If you feel dizzy, confused, or nauseous, stop drinking immediately and seek shade, hydration or medical attention if needed."
Sleep
Excessive heat and alcohol can adversely affect both the quantity and quality of our sleep. "While the sleep-inducing effect of booze can help us drop off, alcohol suppresses the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) part of our sleep cycle, which makes for a less restful slumber," says Piper.
"Put all of this together and we can wake up feeling more tired than when we went to bed; and with a sore head to boot. One of the most effective ways to prevent alcohol from wreaking havoc on our sleep is to stop drinking earlier in the day."
"Stopping drinking earlier in the day and only having water after, say 9pm, can help prevent alcohol from playing too much havoc with our sleep in the hot weather," said Piper, advising moderation for better Z's. "We can also keep track of how much alcohol we're consuming throughout the day using an app like Try Dry.
"By logging our drinks, we can see how many units we've consumed and decide to call time on our boozing and rehydrate earlier before we go to bed, hopefully enabling a more restful night's sleep," he adds.
Sunburn and skin damage
"Alcohol lowers your awareness, meaning you might forget to reapply sunscreen or stay in the sun too long," warns Bagga, linking booze to increased risk of sunburn. "It also widens blood vessels, increasing your skin's sensitivity to UV damage."
The experts stress the importance of diligent sun protection: "Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher before heading out and reapply every two hours," Bagga recommends, cautioning against overestimating cloud cover. "Don't rely on clouds for protection, UV rays can still cause damage on overcast days."
Impaired judgement and increased injury risk
"Many summer activities can involve physical movement and potential hazards such as water sports or rooftop gatherings," Bagga points out. "Alcohol impairs coordination and decision-making, increasing the likelihood of accidents or injury.
"Minimise this risk by never mixing alcohol with swimming, boating, or cycling and keep at least one sober person in your group who can assist in case of emergencies." Moreover, this summer could be the perfect opportunity to explore some non-alcoholic alternatives.
"While booze and hot weather might trigger associations for us, we don't have to act on those associations like Pavlov's dogs," suggests Piper. "Enjoy a cold alcohol-free beer and keep drinking plenty of water, and you'll feel a whole lot better."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Week-long heat health alert issued for 6 regions ahead of 30C temperatures
Plus, the common medicines taken by millions that can be FATAL during hot weather LARGE swathes of England face temperatures up to 30C this week as health chiefs warn the heat could pose "serious" health risks for some. This has prompted health chiefs to issue a yellow heat health alert lasting a full week across six regions across the country. Advertisement 1 The alert, issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Met Office, means older and vulnerable people in these areas are at greater risk and may need to use NHS services more. This is because in the heat people are more likely to suffer dehydration, heat exhaustion, and potentially deadly heatstroke. Hot weather can also worsen asthma symptoms for some people, including increased breathing difficulties, wheezing, and coughing. A yellow alert is the lowest, behind amber and red, on the UKHSA's system. Advertisement It warns of a possible rise in deaths among those aged 65 and over or with health conditions. Younger age groups could also be affected. There is also a higher risk for vulnerable individuals living alone or in care homes due to overheating indoors. Last summer, around 1,311 people in England died from heat-related causes, according to official figures - up from 870 the year before. Advertisement After a few cooler days the mercury is set to soar to 30C across the UK later this week. The hot weather is forecast from Thursday and set to continue into the weekend. Stay Cool Hot Weather Bedroom Tips The Met Office has predicted temperatures will hit 30C in London, Manchester, York, Birmingham and Cardiff on Saturday. The health warning begins at 10am on Wednesday and runs until 10am the following Tuesday, covering the East of England, East Midlands, London, South East, South West, and West Midlands regions. Advertisement Experts from the UKHSA are now urging Brits to stay cool and take care as the mercury climbs. That means staying out of the sun between 11am and 3pm, the hottest part of the day, and keeping curtains or blinds shut in rooms that get a lot of sun, they said. People are also being told to drink plenty of water, avoid booze, and wear loose, light clothes along with a hat and sunglasses when heading outside. Health chiefs say you should plan exercise or dog walks for the cooler parts of the day, like early morning or evening. Advertisement And never, ever leave children or pets alone in a parked car, even for a few minutes.
Rhyl Journal
16 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Brits admit they're obsessed with tracking their health
A poll of 2,000 adults found 23 per cent of trackers can't go a day without logging updates. Among the apps used were step counters (42 per cent), weight checkers (39 per cent) and menstruation monitors (14 per cent). But while 18 per cent keep tabs on their health to ensure they don't forget things, 31 per cent said it makes them feel better about their overall health. And 22 per cent claim it ensures they eat a balanced diet. While 24 per cent believe being so stringent can help them prevent illnesses in the future. Annika Bizon from Samsung UK & Ireland, which commissioned the research following the launch of its One UI 8 watch, which includes bedtime guidance and an antioxidant measuring feature, said: 'As we look to the future of health tech, it's clear that wellbeing won't just shape the big moments, but it will also guide the everyday ones too. 'From what time we go to bed, to how we manage stress at work - health and wellbeing is becoming a more conscious part of our day to day lives. 'It's no longer about extremes, but consistency.' The study also found trackers are also keeping an eye on their heart rate (28 per cent), sleep quality (25 per cent) and water intake (19 per cent). But one in four adults would like to be able to monitor how their body responds to different foods, and 18 per cent would love to know how their 'mental clarity' was at any given moment. Just under half (46 per cent) believe 'micro habits' – small, manageable daily actions that contribute to wellbeing – are easier to stick to. Half (51 per cent) appeared to be keen on smarter support, rather than purely data, liking the idea of using a watch that could indicate a suitable time to go to bed. And 41 per cent said wearable tech often helps keep them motivated due to being able to track their progress. With 83 per cent believing it's important to see the long-term effects of their health habits. However, nearly a third (32 per cent) confessed they sometimes feel overwhelmed by how much health data they're trying to keep on top of. Although 55 per cent 'always or often' feel motivated to exercise, move, or do other healthy things, because of their wearable tech. Leaving 31 per cent of those who keep an eye on these things feeling more in control, with 25 per cent reporting increased fitness, according to the figures. With the top micro habits being drinking more water (51 per cent), spending time outdoors (41 per cent) or taking vitamins or supplements (40 per cent). Of all respondents, 80 per cent believe small daily changes can lead to major health benefits over time. The research was commissioned by Samsung in the lead up to the Samsung Unpacked 2025 on 9th July, when the next generation of Galaxy mobile devices will be unveiled, which include a new artificial intelligence-powered interface. TOP 20 THINGS BRITS TRACK:
Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Resident doctors vote to go back on strike in government pay row
'Yes' vote is a blow to Health Secretary Wes Streeting's pledge to reset relations DOCS STRIKE BACK Resident doctors vote to go back on strike in government pay row Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TRAINEE doctors have voted to strike again in their pay row with the Government. Resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, voted 90 per cent in favour of more walkouts in a ballot that ended on Monday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Doctors went on strike multiple times over 18 months in the last phase of the pay row Credit: Getty British Medical Association members want another pay rise worth 29 per cent, despite bagging a massive 22 per cent last year. Health Secretary Wes Streeting boasted he had solved the long-running NHS pay row, which started in 2022, within weeks of being elected last summer. His deal saw a newly qualified doctor's basic salary increase from £29,400 to £36,600 in the first year and from £58,400 to £70,400 in the final year. But the BMA is back on the warpath, with senior doctors also considering another run of industrial action. The last round of strikes lasted 18 months, from March 2023 to September 2024, after a dispute that began in 2022. Million-plus appointments cancelled last time More than a million appointments were cancelled and at least one patient was ruled to have died as a result of a drop in medical care. The walkouts also stifled NHS attempts to cut waiting times and shrink the Covid backlog. Today's ballot result was 90 per cent in favour of industrial action after votes from just 55 per cent of members. It means the union will have a six-month mandate to hold walkouts from now, through the notoriously tough winter, until January 2026. But doctors have lower public support this time compared to the first round of protests. NHS patients lined up in A&E corridor A YouGov poll of 4,100 Brits found public support for strikes has tumbled from 52 per cent last summer to 39 per cent now. The pollster said the results mark 'a shift in opinion'.
