Psychiatrist-narcologist Marina Kalyuzhnaya, founder of Dr. Kalyuzhnaya's Clinic, has warned in comments to Russian news outlet Lenta.ru that drinking cold beer during hot weather can lead to severe health consequences.
Kalyuzhnaya stated that alcohol affects the human body in a completely different way during warm summer weather than in cold seasons. She explained that body sweating increases significantly in high temperatures, and alcohol consumption accelerates this fluid loss further.
According to the specialist, dehydration occurs twice as fast under these conditions, while the body's natural feeling of thirst becomes dulled. She highlighted what she described as the main paradox of summer: cold beer does not actually quench thirst. Although it provides a brief feeling of refreshment for about a minute, within an hour it draws more fluid out of the body than it supplied.
Dehydration and Thermoregulation Risks
Kalyuzhnaya noted that alcohol dilates blood vessels near the skin, which produces a temporary sensation of coolness. At the same time, it disrupts the function of the central thermoregulation center located in the brain.
Because of this disruption, heat stroke develops much faster in an intoxicated individual and progresses more severely than in a sober person exposed to the same environmental heat. She added that the human heart is forced to work at its maximum limits during such incidents.
For individuals dealing with arrhythmia, hypertension, or excess weight, Kalyuzhnaya stressed that combining elevated temperatures with alcoholic beverages poses a genuine risk of a vascular catastrophe.
Cognitive Impact and Medical Background
In medical practice, a psychiatrist-narcologist specializes in treating addiction and analyzing the physiological impact of alcohol on organ systems. Heat stroke occurs when bodily temperature regulation fails, leading to potential cardiovascular stress or acute medical emergencies.
Arrhythmia involves an irregular heartbeat, while hypertension refers to elevated blood pressure. Both conditions put added strain on the circulatory system during extreme heat exposure.
Kalyuzhnaya has previously warned about the destructive effects of alcohol consumption on human brain function. In earlier remarks, she stated that even a single shot of alcohol negatively affects cognitive abilities.
