As temperatures soar, many are taking steps to stay cool and hydrated in the heat. While ice-lollies and shade are popular choices, a surprising option to consider is a hot drink. Research from the University of Ottawa in 2012 found that drinking hot beverages can actually help lower body temperature.
Dr. Ollie Jay, a researcher involved in the study, explained that hot drinks can lead to increased sweating, which, if the sweat evaporates, results in a cooling effect that outweighs the initial heat from the drink. Sweating is a natural cooling mechanism as it allows excess heat to escape through the evaporation of sweat from the skin.
However, in humid conditions, this cooling process is less effective, rendering hot drinks less beneficial for cooling down. Dr. Jay advised that in very hot and humid conditions where sweat doesn’t evaporate easily, it’s best to opt for cold beverages to prevent adding more heat to the body.
In conclusion, hot drinks can help cool you down in hot, dry climates by promoting sweating and subsequent evaporation. But in humid environments, it’s better to stick to cold drinks for effective cooling.