Plus, does the "hair of the dog" method actually work?
| | | | Hi, friends! Day drinking seems to be a favorite summer pastime here in the United States. But as many of you know well, an afternoon of cocktails can lead to some not-so-fun side effects. In today's edition, we take a sobering look at the risks involved with day drinking, plus tips for staying safe. | | Also on the agenda: | | | | | Stay sharp,
Ginger Wojcik
Newsletter Editor, Healthline | | | | |
| |  | | Written by Ginger Wojcik
June 14, 2023 • 5 min read | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | Why mixing sun and alcohol may not be the best idea | There's something about sunshine that makes people feel like drinking alcohol. And while sipping a cold drink on a warm summer day isn't necessarily a recipe for disaster, there are a few reasons why the sun and alcohol make a bad pair.
Day drinking can lead to: - Dehydration: Both the sun and alcohol are naturally dehydrating. When it's hot out, you lose water through sweating. While drinking alcohol (especially in large amounts) causes you to lose water by peeing excessively. Plus, when you're drunk, you may forget to replace those lost fluids by drinking more water and electrolytes.
- Getting drunk faster: Like we said, when you drink in the sun, you're more likely to get dehydrated. And there's evidence that suggests drinking alcohol while dehydrated may actually lead to a higher blood alcohol concentration, causing you to feel drunker than you would if you were adequately hydrated.
- Sunburn: Alcohol can make it harder to stay on top of your sunscreen application. And according to a study in mice, it may actually lead to worse sunburns than ultraviolet (UV) exposure on its own.
How to stay safe. Skipping alcohol altogether is the healthiest choice, whether you're out in the sun or not. But if you choose to imbibe, stay well hydrated, practice good sun protection, pair booze with food, and drink slowly (you have all day, after all).
More on alcohol and your health: | | | | | | |
| | | | Editor faves with health perks | | | | | | |  | | 75 Non-Alcoholic Recipes for Every Occasion | | You can still relish in the pleasure of a tasty cold beverage on a hot day without having to risk the consequences of day drinking. While simply popping a La Croix may hit the spot, you might enjoy a freshly made mocktail even more. Two registered dietitians wrote this "Mocktail Party" recipe book, which highlights natural ingredients and lightly sweetened elixirs for all day sober and delicious fun. | | | Every product we recommend has gone through Healthline's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | An expert weighs in | Q: "I wore SPF 50 and still got sunburned. What gives?"
A: Applying a single coat of SPF 50 to one's body and then sunbathing all day is not even close to sufficient to protect one from the damaging effect of the sun's UV radiation. Most individuals apply far less than 50% of the recommended amount of sunscreen required for adequate protection. So, the SPF on the label of your bottle is rarely achieved in daily practice.
One should apply at least 1 ounce (a shot glass full or golf ball size) of sunscreen from head to toe, 20 minutes before going into the sun, and reapply an equally generous amount every 2 hours or sooner after swimming or perspiring.
– Dr. Julie Karen, a board certified dermatologist | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | Debunking the "hair of the dog" hangover remedy | Can you cure a hangover by drinking more alcohol the day after? This age-old advice, widely known as the "hair of the dog" method, may make you feel better temporarily. But there's no evidence to support the claim that it will make your symptoms go away for good. Research shows that hangovers usually start a few hours after you stop drinking, with symptoms peaking once your blood alcohol levels reach zero. So no matter how much you drink the next day, eventually your blood alcohol level will get back to zero (and potentially lead right back to that dreaded hangover you tried so hard to avoid).
OK, so what does cure a hangover? There's no one magic bullet method for curing a hangover. However, there's evidence that suggests these strategies may help: | | • | Chow down: research shows drinking alcohol causes a drop in blood sugar, which can be reversed by eating food. | | • | Help your head: Treat hangover-related headaches with one of these remedies. | | • | Pop a B vitamin: Alcohol reduces your levels of B vitamins, which may make it harder for your body to get rid of alcohol. | | • | Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: Many of the symptoms of a hangover have to do with being dehydrated. | | • | Take a nap: Research shows alcohol disrupts sleep on multiple fronts. | | What's your go-to way for curing a hangover? Let us know at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (Please note we may share your name and response in an upcoming newsletter!)
More on hangovers: | | | | | | | |
| | | | Thanks for reading! Last week, we asked you to send us recommendations for your favorite dental hygiene products. Here's what reader Laverne M. wrote in:
My fusion Waterpark tooth brush which includes the watering cleaning at the same time. Best cleaning I have ever done.
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