The Role of Alcohol, Sports Drinks, and Caffeinated Beverages in Preventing Heat-Related Illness

Details

• Journal Article:
  Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
• Personal Author:
  Greenberg, Shlomo ; Forst, Linda ; Klein, Michael D.
• Description:
  With the increase in frequency of extreme heat events, people are increasingly suffering from heat-related illness. This can present with acute symptoms of weakness, headache, dizziness, and muscle cramps. Prolonged exposure can result in adverse cardiovascular and kidney outcomes. When severe, prolonged heat exposure can lead to death. Heat-related illness is more prevalent in outdoor workers, including those who work in the agriculture and construction industries. In an effort to protect workers from heat-related illness, the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration has recently proposed a heat standard for workers employed in conditions that put them at risk. The proposed 2024 OSHA Heat Standard advises "water, rest, and shade" but is not specific in recommendations regarding the types of beverages that would replenish fluids and help workers maintain adequate hydration. Current messaging that is available on the internet, and even fact sheets from reputable sources, commonly advise workers, athletes, and the public to avoid coffee, sports drinks, and alcohol; these recommendations are not conclusively supported by scientific literature or an understanding of homeostatic mechanisms that conserve hydration. As the climate warms and this public health challenge grows, it is critical to provide accurate information to mitigate the adverse effects of heat on human health.
• Subjects:
  Alcohol Caffeine Dehydration Heat Stress Disorders Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Hot environments; Heat exposure; Outdoor workers; Dehydration; Occupational Safety and Health Administration; OSHA; Standards
• Source:
  J Occup Environ Med 2025 Oct; 67(10):e762-e764
• ISSN:
  1076-2752
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Illinois ; New York ; Chicago Region [OSHA] ; New York City Region [OSHA]
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  3 pdf pages
• Volume:
  67
• Issue:
  10
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20071292
• Contact Point Address:
  Linda Forst, MD, MPH, University of Illinois Chicago, School of Public Health, 1603 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, Illinois 60612
• Email:
  lforst@uic.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2026
• NORA Priority Area:
  Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
• Performing Organization:
  University of Illinois at Chicago
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20220901
• End Date:
  20270831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:bc9ccbee0edc496e4e6e6c77c8f34fa0c8c7ab6c05c9f6d9c502fde80eed67313ad6705b1d669634259e712880fdccd7396cc90c495640920240492d66c15805
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/258769/cdc_258769_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 100.33 KB ]