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- Drinking alcohol in hot weather can increase fluid loss, leading to dehydration and fatigue more quickly.
- When it comes to potential health effects, the total amount of alcohol consumed is more important than what time of day it is consumed.
- Eating food and drinking plenty of fluids before drinking alcohol can help alleviate the side effects of alcohol consumption.
A few beers on a summer afternoon can make you feel tired faster than a nightcap.
There is little scientific evidence that the time of day affects how the body reacts to alcohol, but factors such as dehydration and hot weather can make drinking alcohol during the day more taxing on the body.
“Drinking alcohol during the day doesn’t necessarily affect your body any differently than drinking it in the evening. More generally, if someone starts drinking early in the day, they will ultimately consume more alcohol throughout the day,” Dr. Mark J. Conroy, an emergency medicine physician at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, told Verywell via email.
If you start drinking in the morning, you may experience hangover symptoms toward the end of the night as your blood alcohol level drops. Symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, and nausea usually peak when your blood alcohol level reaches zero.
The timing of alcohol consumption is less important than the total amount consumed. Excessive drinking Decreased impulse control and coordination skills can lead to poor decision making. On Independence Day, a significant number of traffic fatalities are caused by drunk driving.
“The problem with alcohol is that it doesn’t matter when you drink it. If you drink too much, there will be bad consequences,” said Tavis Glassman, PhD, MPH, professor of public health at the University of Toledo., he told Verywell.
If you want to celebrate the holidays with hot dogs and margaritas, there are a few ways to enjoy the day without getting tired when the fireworks go off.
Eat before drinking alcohol
Eat something before opening that can of beer.
“Drinking alcohol on an empty or nearly empty stomach results in faster absorption and higher blood concentrations,” Dr. Richard Reese, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine, told Verywell via email.
Ries recommends drinking alcohol slowly and with food. Food slows down the absorption of alcohol, but if you drink too much too quickly, you will still get drunk.
Drink plenty of fluids, especially when drinking alcohol in the sun.
Between parades, barbecues, and fireworks, most Fourth of July celebrations take place outdoors. With high temperatures expected across the country, it’s important to stay hydrated while you celebrate.
“Regardless of how much alcohol you consume, when someone is exposed to hot temperatures for an extended period of time, they need to be more aware of how they feel and adjust their fluid intake accordingly to avoid dehydration,” Conroy said.
If you sweat a lot during the hot summer and do not drink enough water, you will become dehydrated, and if alcohol is added to this, the symptoms may worsen. Alcohol blocks the hormone vasopressin from telling your kidneys to retain fluid, causing you to urinate more and lose more fluid.
“Alcohol can impair the body’s natural ability to maintain a healthy body temperature, increasing the risk of heat illness and heatstroke,” Conroy said.
If you plan to spend time outside in the heat, it's best to avoid alcohol and other dehydrating beverages, such as coffee, soda, and caffeinated tea. But if you do decide to drink, Conroy said it's important to be mindful of this. Drink plenty of non-alcoholic water and other beverages containing electrolytes.
Set a drinking time for yourself
If you’re going to a house party, plan out how you’re going to get home before you have your first drink, Glassman says. It might be wise to delay your first drink as much as possible and set your own cutoff time.
Anyone celebrating Independence Day at the pool or beach should also be mindful of the risks associated with combining alcohol and swimming. A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that nearly one-third of all drownings involved a blood alcohol level of 0.10 percent or higher.
“If you're feeling full, tired, nauseous, agitated or otherwise unwell, it's time to stop drinking,” Glassman said. “You don't have to drink all the alcohol. Just get to a safe place, get there safely and 'take it easy.'”
What this means to you
If you plan to enjoy alcohol during summer activities, especially in hot weather, prioritize eating and staying hydrated to avoid dehydration and fatigue. Drinking excessively at any time of the day can have negative health consequences and lead to poor decisions, so drink responsibly.