Physiologically, alcohol in alcohol is mainly metabolized in the liver. Only a very small part is excreted through breath, urine and sweat. Therefore, intentionally sweating more by bathing in hot water does not reduce blood alcohol concentration, nor does it help to wake up to alcohol faster.
According to Dr. Donald Hensrud, a preventive medicine expert at Mayo Clinic (USA), "there are no measures to help the body excrete alcohol faster than time. Bathing in hot water or steaming does not make the liver metabolize alcohol faster, on the contrary, it can increase the risk of stroke.
Double angioedema, risk of dizziness, fainting and accident
Alcohol and beer have the effect of dilating peripheral blood vessels, causing blood pressure to tend to decrease and the body to lose water easily. Hot water also causes vasodilation. When these two factors combine, people who drink alcohol and bathe in hot water are very likely to fall into a state of dizziness, low blood pressure, blurred vision, and even fainting in the bathroom.
Clinical reality has recorded many cases of occupational accidents related to bathing after drinking alcohol, from slipping, head injuries to sudden cardiac arrest. More worryingly, after drinking alcohol, the ability to react and balance clearly decreases, causing the risk of accidents to increase many times over.
It's not just people with background diseases that are dangerous.
Another misconception is that only the elderly or people with cardiovascular disease need to avoid hot baths after drinking alcohol. In fact, young, healthy people are no exception. The body can "endure" better, but it does not mean absolute safety.
For people with a history of high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart failure, diabetes or previous stroke, the risk is higher. Sudden changes in temperature and blood pressure can trigger a cardiovascular accident or stroke, especially during the transitional period when the weather changes erratically.
Dr. Aaron White, senior advisor to the US National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Addiction, emphasized: "After drinking alcohol, the most important thing is to rest, replenish enough water and avoid stressful effects on the cardiovascular system.
What should be done after drinking alcohol?
Experts recommend that after drinking alcohol, keep your body warm, avoid strenuous exercise, do not sauna, do not take hot or cold baths. If you need personal hygiene, you should wait until your body is more alert, take a quick bath with moderately warm water, in a ventilated space and with someone by your side if necessary.
More importantly, change your "fire-fighting" habits after drinking alcohol by drinking in moderation, not forcing yourself to drink, not drinking on an empty stomach, and always putting your safety first to temporary pleasures.
