Cold climate and less sunlight lead to increased alcohol consumption

How does the climate affect the consumption of alcohol??

Regular consumption of alcohol can lead to health problems. Does the climate influence whether we consume more or less alcohol? Researchers have now found that people who live in a cold climate with less sunlight are likely to consume a lot more alcohol.

Researchers at the Pittsburgh Liver Research Center found in their current research that a cold climate with low levels of sunlight leads to higher alcohol consumption. The experts published the results of their study in the English-language journal "Hepatology".

Data from 193 countries were evaluated for the study

The physicians found a correlation between the average temperature, hours of sunshine and alcohol consumption. For this they evaluated the data from 193 different countries. These provided evidence that the climate contributed to an increased incidence of alcohol and liver disease. This is the first study that systematically shows that in colder areas and areas with less sun, people drink more and have more alcoholic cirrhosis, explains study author Ramon Bataller, deputy director of the Pittsburgh Liver Research Center.

Would be justified higher prices for alcohol?

There is now new evidence that the weather and especially the temperature and solar radiation, have a strong influence on how much alcohol people consume, the experts say. In addition, this weather-related alcohol consumption is directly related to the risk of developing the most dangerous form of liver disease (alcoholic cirrhosis), which can eventually lead to liver failure and death. Stricter alcohol pricing laws are certainly warranted, taking into account the devastating combined effects of low sunlight and cheaper alcohol on consumption, the study's authors explain.

Many people in Europe drink too much alcohol

The level of alcohol consumption is still high, and nearly half of the adult male population is exposed to adverse health and social problems due to harmful drinking habits, both in the short and long term. This was the latest data presented by the World Health Organization at a summit in Edinburgh on alcohol consumption in Europe. Some experts are now calling for restrictions on alcohol advertising laws during the winter months. (As)