THE INSIDER
DOES DRINKING ALCOHOL REALLY KEEP YOU WARM? THE SCIENCE BEHIND A COMMON BELIEF
Article by Rodgers Mangwela | KASONDE24
Imagine sitting outside on a cold evening, feeling the wind against your skin. Someone offers you a glass of whisky, brandy or another alcoholic drink, assuring you that it will warm you up. You take a few sips, and suddenly your face feels warmer, your body seems more comfortable, and the cold no longer feels as uncomfortable as before.
But what if that comforting feeling is misleading?
For generations, alcohol has been associated with warmth, particularly during cold weather. From traditional drinking habits to the popular image of a hot alcoholic beverage on a chilly evening, many people believe that alcohol helps the body fight the cold.
However, scientific evidence tells a different story. Alcohol can make you feel warmer without actually increasing your body's core temperature. In certain conditions, it can even increase the risk of dangerous heat loss.
So, is drinking alcohol really an effective way of keeping warm? The answer is no, and understanding why could help save lives.
THE SCIENCE: WHY ALCOHOL MAKES YOU FEEL WARM
According to a report published by The Guardian on 2 November 2026, alcohol affects the body's natural temperature-regulation system.
The human body has a sophisticated mechanism for maintaining a relatively stable internal temperature. A region of the brain called the hypothalamus plays an important role in this process.
When temperatures fall, blood vessels close to the skin normally narrow. This process, known as vasoconstriction, reduces blood flow near the body's surface and helps conserve heat around vital organs.
When alcohol enters the bloodstream, however, it can interfere with this protective response.
Alcohol causes blood vessels near the skin to widen, a process known as vasodilation. More warm blood moves towards the surface of the skin, creating a sensation of warmth.
This explains why someone who has been drinking may experience flushed cheeks, warm skin and a temporary feeling of comfort.
But there is a problem: the body is losing heat rather than storing it.
In other words, alcohol creates the sensation of warmth while potentially making the body's internal temperature fall.
THE HIDDEN DANGER: HYPOTHERMIA
One of the biggest dangers associated with drinking alcohol in cold environments is hypothermia.
Hypothermia occurs when the body's core temperature drops below 35°C. It is a potentially life-threatening medical condition that requires urgent attention.
The danger is that alcohol can make someone underestimate how cold their surroundings actually are.
A person who feels unusually warm after drinking might remove a jacket, sit outside for longer or fail to recognise the warning signs of cold exposure.
Alcohol can also impair judgement and coordination, making it harder to respond appropriately to dangerous environmental conditions.
The US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism warns that the warmth associated with drinking alcohol is misleading because the increased blood flow towards the skin encourages heat loss.
This is particularly concerning for people spending extended periods outdoors in cold weather.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR AFRICA AND ZAMBIA?
When discussing cold-weather dangers, many people immediately think about countries experiencing freezing winters, snow and extremely low temperatures.
However, the lesson is relevant beyond Europe and North America.
Across Africa, temperatures vary considerably depending on geography, altitude and season. Zambia, for example, experiences cooler conditions during certain months, particularly at night and in the early morning.
In places such as Kabwe and Katondo, residents can experience noticeably cold mornings and evenings, especially during the cooler season.
People working outdoors, travelling early, spending nights in poorly insulated accommodation or getting caught in cold and wet conditions should understand that alcohol is not a reliable solution for staying warm.
The same principle applies to people living in rural communities, where access to adequate heating, warm clothing and emergency medical services may be limited.
The important lesson is that feeling warm does not necessarily mean your body is maintaining a safe internal temperature.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO INSTEAD OF DRINKING ALCOHOL?
If your objective is to stay warm, there are safer and more effective ways of protecting your body.
First, wear appropriate clothing. Dressing in several layers helps trap warm air close to the body, providing better insulation than relying on a single thin garment.
Second, seek shelter when temperatures become uncomfortable. Staying in a warm, protected environment reduces unnecessary exposure to cold conditions.
Third, consider warm non-alcoholic beverages. A cup of warm tea, coffee or another suitable non-alcoholic drink can provide comfort without introducing alcohol-related risks.
Most importantly, never give an alcoholic drink to someone suspected of having hypothermia. Medical guidance recommends moving the person to a sheltered environment, removing wet clothing, covering them with dry blankets and seeking urgent medical assistance.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hypothermia requires prompt attention, particularly when body temperature falls significantly.
THE BIGGER LESSON: FEELING GOOD DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN BEING SAFE
The discussion about alcohol and body temperature reveals something interesting about human behaviour: our physical sensations do not always tell the complete story about what is happening inside our bodies.
Something can feel comforting while producing an entirely different effect beneath the surface.
Alcohol may temporarily create a feeling of warmth, but that sensation should never be confused with genuine protection against cold temperatures.
For people in Zambia and elsewhere in Africa, understanding such everyday health misconceptions is important. Public health education is not only about recognising diseases; it is also about questioning familiar beliefs, understanding the science behind them and making informed decisions.
The next time someone suggests that a glass of whisky is the answer to a cold evening, remember that the warmth you feel may be an illusion.
Alcohol does not provide reliable protection against the cold. Sometimes, the thing that makes you feel warmer could actually be making you lose heat.
Sources: The Guardian, 2 November 2026; US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism; US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
published by KASONDE24
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