Hidden risks of drinking alcohol in cold weather explained

By Sean Dowling, Buzz60

Drinking more to stay warm could have dangerous consequences -- but, what about the warm feeling you get when you take a sip?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the false sense of warmth doesn't translate to overall body temperature.

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In fact, drinking alcohol in the cold lowers your core temperature. Hypothermia can set in if your body drops below 95 degrees.

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So why do you feel warm? Alcohol widens blood vessels under the skin, so they fill with warm blood.

This can make you flushed or feel hot. However, in the cold, that can lead to hypothermia, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Those with heart conditions should avoid drinking in cold weather, because their bodies may be under more strain from the harsh conditions.