Alcohol creates false warmth while lowering core body temperature

Doctors are warning that drinking alcohol in cold weather can be dangerous, even though it feels warming. When people drink alcohol, their blood vessels widen and more blood moves to the skin. This creates a feeling of warmth, but it actually pulls heat away from the body's vital organs. Core body temperature drops as a result.

Many people believe that a shot of whiskey will warm them up in winter. This belief is wrong and can cause serious harm. Alcohol also stops the body from shivering, which is a natural way to stay warm. It makes people less aware of how cold the air really is. This combination raises the risk of hypothermia and frostbite. Alcohol also causes dehydration, which makes cold conditions even more harmful.