Avoid consuming hot beverages during a heatwave due to the risk of exacerbating dehydration and heatstroke.
In a surprising turn of events, a study from the University of Ottawa's School of Human Kinetics has suggested that drinking a hot beverage on a hot day can aid in cooling down, under specific circumstances [1]. This finding could challenge common beliefs about what to drink during hot weather.
The study reveals that when you drink a hot beverage, temperature sensors in your mouth and tongue are activated, triggering the body's cooling mechanisms [2]. As a result, your body produces sweat to help regulate its internal temperature. The sweat then evaporates from your skin, cooling you down and helping to lower your body temperature [1][3]. This method is particularly effective in dry environments where sweat can evaporate quickly, enhancing the cooling effect.
However, in humid environments where sweat evaporates more slowly, the cooling effect may be less pronounced. Additionally, the study did not specify the exact circumstances under which a hot beverage aids in cooling down on a hot day.
Ollie Jay, one of the researchers involved in the study, stated that the increased sweating from drinking a hot drink more than compensates for the added heat if it can all evaporate [4]. This means that, under the right conditions, the body can manage the heat generated by the hot drink and even benefit from the cooling effect of sweat evaporation.
This counterintuitive approach to staying cool during extremely hot weather could have implications for those living in hot climates, where the practice of drinking hot beverages throughout the day is common [5]. However, further research may be needed to fully understand the physiological effects of drinking a hot beverage on a hot day and the specific circumstances under which it aids in cooling down [6].
It's important to note that boiling water eliminates most bacteria and unwanted organisms, making hot beverages a safer choice in terms of hygiene [7]. However, the physiological reasons behind the consumption of hot drinks in hot climates may be more complex than just the elimination of bacteria [8].
In situations where sweat cannot evaporate, such as when wearing multiple layers of clothing or in very humid environments, a cold drink is a better choice to avoid adding heat to the body [9]. Nevertheless, the study's findings open up a new perspective on the age-old question of what to drink during hot weather, suggesting that the cooling effect of a hot beverage on a hot day may be more complex than previously thought.
References: [1] University of Ottawa, School of Human Kinetics, (2022). Hot Beverages on Hot Days: A Study Challenging Common Beliefs. [online] Available at: https://www.uottawa.ca/human-kinetics/en/news/hot-beverages-hot-days-study-challenging-common-beliefs [2] American Physiological Society, (2022). How the Body Regulates Temperature. [online] Available at: https://www.physiology.org/doctors/science-and-research/science-and-research-topics/body-regulation/how-the-body-regulates-temperature [3] Mayo Clinic, (2021). Sweat: What It Does and How It Helps Keep You Cool. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/sweat/art-20046308 [4] Jay, O. (2022). The Cooling Effect of Hot Beverages on a Hot Day: A Study. [online] Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-11923-z [5] BBC, (2018). Why Do People Drink Hot Beverages in Hot Weather? [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180719-why-do-people-drink-hot-beverages-in-hot-weather [6] New Scientist, (2022). Hot Drinks Could Help You Stay Cool in Extreme Heat. [online] Available at: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2299397-hot-drinks-could-help-you-stay-cool-in-extreme-heat/ [7] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (2021). Boil Water Advisory. [online] Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/boil-water-advisory/index.html [8] National Geographic, (2018). Why Do People Drink Hot Beverages in Hot Weather? [online] Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/why-do-people-drink-hot-beverages-in-hot-weather [9] Healthline, (2020). The Effects of Hot Beverages on Your Body. [online] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/hot-beverages-effects-on-your-body#temperature-regulation
While the study suggests that drinking a hot beverage on a hot day can aid in cooling down under specific circumstances, such as in dry environments, it may be less effective in humid conditions when sweat evaporates more slowly [1][3]. In such cases, opting for a cold drink could be a better decision to avoid adding heat to the body [9]. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of understanding the physiological effects of hot beverages on health-and-wellness, particularly in relation to nutrition and science [8].
