There is an age-old imagery in people’s minds wherein an individual sips a glass of scotch or bourbon by a fireside as the weather outside is evidently cold. The imagery of big St. Bernards carrying barrels of brandy to rescue snowbound travelers is also quite widespread. Such imagery in popular culture has cemented the belief that alcohol warms the body. However, does the science back up this claim? In this unsobered guide, we set out to find whether there is any semblance of truth to this popular belief. It also unpacks the physiological mechanisms behind the "whisky flush," explains why alcohol creates a false sense of heat, details the medical risks of drinking in freezing weather, and offers safe ways to enjoy winter spirits.
If you’ve ever tried drinking whisky in cold weather, you must have noticed that the dram produced an immediate sensation of warmth. However, physiological science proves the opposite. Alcohol actually lowers your internal core body temperature. So, the short answer to the question in the subheading is no. For the longer answer, you had better read the rest of the article.
.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
One of the biggest reasons why drinking whisky is believed to warm your body is owing to a phenomenon known as the “whisky flush.” When you drink whisky, you tend to turn a bright red, flushed color. This is generally viewed as the physical manifestation of your body warming.
However, the reason why this happens is because of a physiological phenomenon called Vasodilation. It occurs when peripheral blood vessels are relaxed and widened. Ethanol, which is abundant in whisky, or any other liquor, for that matter, acts as a vasodilator.
As the capillaries expand, warm blood rushes from the body’s interior outward toward the skin surface and extremities. This gives the drinker the characteristic flushed look and fools most into believing that their body is warmer now.
What is more, most of our body’s temperature receptors, or thermoreceptors to be more technical, are concentrated in your skin. When the blood enters your skin, the sudden rush creates a genuine, immediate sensory feeling of warmth.
Also Read: Does Drinking Water Prevent A Hangover? What The Science Says
It is important to note, however, that this surface warmth is merely illusory. Here are a few factors that actually end up depressing your core temperature if you drink whisky in extreme cold weather as a way to warm your body.
Rapid Heat Radiation: The blood moving away from vital internal organs toward the skin accelerates heat loss into the cold ambient air. The blood gathering near the skin turns your body into something akin to a radiator, but in reverse. Your body ends up dumping heat directly into cold outdoor surroundings.
Impaired Thermoregulation: Alcohol is a big disruptor of the hypothalamus in your brain. It acts as the central thermostat of your body and suppresses its natural defense mechanisms against cold. This severely impairs your thermoregulation, leaving you vulnerable to extreme cold.
Suppression of Shivering: In case you didn’t already know, shivering is not a bad thing. It is a part of your body’s natural defense mechanism against cold. It is your body’s primary autonomic response to generate muscular heat. Alcohol depresses motor signaling, inhibiting or even delaying shivering even as core temperatures drop.
Reduced Perceived Cold: Additionally, alcohol also dampens your sensory perception. It prevents individuals from recognizing early signs of cold distress or frostbite, leading to unsafe exposure.
.jpg&w=1920&q=75)
So, drinking in extreme cold is not healthy at all and can actually lead to hypothermia, which occurs when your core body temperature drops below 35°C or 95°F. The combination of vasodilation, suppressed shivering, and dulled cognitive awareness makes intoxicated individuals significantly more vulnerable to rapid hypothermia during winter if they are outdoors.
It is therefore better to reserve whisky for climate-controlled indoor settings after coming inside from the cold, rather than drinking while exposed outdoors.
Also Read: Why Is Tequila Served With Salt And Lime? The History, Science, And Myths Explained
While it is true that whisky makes your body feel as if it is getting warmer, in reality, that is only a perception. It is mainly caused by your body flushing blood to your skin. However, it is actually lowering your base body temperature all the while. Drinking in moderation during cold weather is fun and not that harmful. However, if you’re drinking as a main means of staying warm, that can be very detrimental to your health. One of the best ways to stay warm in cold weather is just to dress warmly. Drinking alcohol is not a sustainable or healthy way to stop your body from getting cold.
