Age-old debate settled – people in colder and darker countries do drink more

Alcohol consumption is one of the major concerns of healthcare systems. People drink and it leads to all kinds of problems, but everyone knows that some countries have bigger alcohol problems than others. It is due to many different factors and scientists from the University of Pittsburgh say that even where you live could influence how much you drink. If it‘s cold and dark, it is likely that you‘re going to drink more.

It is quite interesting, because usually people enjoy alcoholic beverages indoors. Who cares if outside it is cold and dark if inside you have a good company and full bottles? But scientists say that as sunlight and temperatures decline, alcohol consumption increases. Many people have previously hypothesized climate to be a factor, but no studies could provide substantial evidence to support or dismiss this argument. Why people drink in Russia and Canada? Why Wisconsin has a bigger alcohol problem than warmer states?  Scientists decided to check once and for all if the temperature is actually an important factor when it comes to drinking.

Scientists from the University of Pittsburgh conducted a first-of-its-kind study, looking into colder, darker living areas and their effect on people’s alcohol consumption as well as alcoholic liver disease. They analysed from the World Health Organization, the World Meteorological Organization and other large, public data sets and found a clear negative correlation between climate factors and alcohol consumption. It could be observed in a total alcohol intake per capita, binge drinking statistics and percentage of population that consumes alcohol on a regular basis. Furthermore, scientists found that alcoholic liver disease is much more common in colder, darker climates, which makes sense since people are drinking more.

Researchers would like to remind that alcohol is a vasodilator it increases the flow of warm blood to the skin. In a way, it is beneficial for people in colder countries – they feel warmer. However, it is just a feeling – body gives away its warmth easier if the person drinks. Meanwhile is hotter climates extra feeling of heat is undesirable, which is probably why people don’t want to drink there as much. Scientists say that this study answers an age-old question, but it could also help addressing this problem. Some policies could be introduced to help people feel warmer without consuming alcohol.

However, it is not just that people want that feeling of warmth. It is also that there isn’t much to do when it’s cold. Public life almost stops in the cities and people move indoors where they get bored and start drinking. It already became part of their culture and even climate change is not going to teach Siberians to drink less.

Source: University of Pittsburgh