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More Heat, More Beer, More Mosquito: Find Out Why Mosquitoes May Bite You More Than Those Who Don’t Drink
You might think that icy beer at the end of the day is harmless, especially in the summer heat. But what if I told you that this seemingly harmless habit could turn you into a real mosquito magnet? That’s right. Drinking beer, according to international studies and Brazilian experts, significantly increases the chances of being bitten by disease-carrying mosquitoes like dengue, zika, chikungunya, and even malaria. And this is no urban legend: it’s science.
Yes, Drinking Beer Attracts More Mosquitoes and It’s Not Insignificant
Brazil is among the countries that consume the most beer in the world — about 70 liters per person per year, according to data from ABRABE. And when the heat intensifies, the average rises even more. But this refreshment can come at a high cost: studies conducted in Japan and Burkina Faso show that drinking beer increases the risk of being bitten by disease-carrying mosquitoes.
In one study conducted in Japan, volunteers drank 350 ml of barley beer, and shortly after, they were exposed to the mosquito Aedes albopictus, a close cousin of Aedes aegypti. The result? The number of bites skyrocketed.
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In the study conducted in Burkina Faso, researchers offered participants a local drink made from sorghum, with about 4% alcohol, called dolo, and tested the reaction of the Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes, which are responsible for malaria transmission. The effect was similar: more alcohol, more bites.
But Why Are Mosquitoes Interested in Those Who Drink?
According to Professor Carlos Brisola Marcondes from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), this happens because alcohol alters the metabolism of those who drink. “Ethanol is eliminated through sweat, and this acts as an attractant,” he explained. Additionally, drinking beer can provoke changes in body temperature and in the release of volatile compounds, those kairomones, which are a real draw for mosquitoes.
In the case of the Japanese study, it was observed that individual tolerance to alcohol also influenced body temperature. In Burkina Faso, researchers ruled out the influence of carbon dioxide (CO2) exhaled, usually a well-known attractant, and raised the hypothesis that the increased production of kairomones after consuming beer may have been the main factor.
Does the Mosquito Choose Its “Target”? Yes, and the Criteria Are Curious
The sanitary doctor Rodolpho Telarolli Júnior from UNESP in Araraquara adds that factors such as intense breathing, body temperature, and blood type also count when mosquitoes decide who to attack.
People who have just exercised, pregnant women, or individuals with overweight tend to emit more CO2 while breathing and, therefore, attract more mosquitoes. Additionally, those with blood type O seem to be preferred by some species, although the reasons for this remain a mystery. Furthermore, wearing dark clothing also increases the chances of being bitten.
“In infested areas, it’s ideal to wear light and long clothing, especially for those who know they are more ‘targeted’ by mosquitoes,” warns Telarolli.
Each Species Has Its Preference and This Is Still Being Discovered
There is still no general rule for all mosquitoes. According to Marcondes, some species prefer children, others prefer adults; some bite more black people, others more white people. The chemical ecology of attraction is still being studied and is much more complex than previously thought.
Moreover, factors like smell and sight are decisive for many mosquitoes, especially those that attack during the day, such as the dreaded Aedes aegypti, the dengue carrier. Others, like the sleeping sickness (tsetse fly), follow different patterns.
And Other Drinks? Does Cachaça Also Attract Mosquitoes?
Marcondes argues that more studies should be conducted here in Brazil. After all, beer is not the only popular drink among Brazilians. Should we also test cachaça, wine, or whiskey?
Furthermore, the researcher points out another factor that is often overlooked: the state of intoxication. “Drunk people have no owner,” he jokes. Those who overindulge in drinking tend to relax their reflexes and may not even notice they are being bitten, which further increases the risk of infection.
How to Protect Yourself from Bites, Especially If You’ve Been Drinking Beer
While studies do not progress, there are simple and effective measures for those who want to avoid mosquitoes:
- Avoid places with stagnant water or dense vegetation, like gardens or riverbanks;
- Wear light-colored clothing that covers arms and legs;
- Apply repellent, preferably on clothing, not directly on the skin;
- Keep environments with screens on windows;
- And of course, if you’re drinking, double your precautions, especially if you’re in areas with a high mosquito infestation.
Pay special attention to pregnant women, who according to specialists, are among the preferred targets of various mosquito species, which increases the risk for both the mother and the baby.
More Than an Inconvenience: A Public Health Problem
The frequency of bites is one of the most important factors in the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. The more you are bitten, the higher the probability of infection. This makes the issue much broader than a simple nuisance; we are talking about a real epidemiological issue.
“Controlling malaria, for example, is more effective when it focuses on the people who are more attractive to mosquitoes. And this applies to all vector-borne diseases,” concludes Marcondes.
If you’ve noticed that mosquitoes “love” you more than others, maybe the blame really lies with that cold beer! Now that you know, share this content with your friends and leave a comment telling: have you also noticed that you are the “favorite target”?
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