Why booze and sun can be a heady brew

CAMILLA FOSTER FINDS OUT ALCOHOL AND SUMMER HEAT DON'T MIX WELL

- CAMILLA FOSTER

FROM impairing your judgement to increasing your risk of dehydration, drinking alcohol in the sun can have a bigger impact than you might expect.

A cold beer or chilled glass of wine might sound like the perfect way to unwind after a hot, sweaty day, but warnings have been issued urging people to take extra care when drinking in hot conditions.

If you've ever found yourself feeling light-headed after just one or two drinks or waking up with a particularly nasty hangover after drinking in the sun, there's a reason why.

High temperatures put extra strain on your body, and alcohol can make those effects even worse.

Here are some reasons why alcohol can affect you more in the heat - and what you can do to stay safe while enjoying the sunshine.

It accelerates dehydration

“People often get caught out in the heat because they will go for cold alcoholic drinks and are often thinking that because these beverages feel refreshing that they must be hydrating,” says Dr Amel Imam (Dr Mel), NHS GP and medical director at Pharmulous.

“However, your body needs lots of water, or something that contains a high water content in order to function properly.