debate clarification: is it true that hot beverages are more enjoyable during warmer weather?
In contrast to the common belief that cold drinks are the best option for cooling down in hot weather, scientific evidence suggests that **hot drinks, such as hot tea, may be more effective at cooling the body in temperatures above 30°C**[1][2]. This surprising finding is primarily due to the body's increased sweating response when consuming hot beverages, which results in a more efficient cooling effect as the sweat evaporates from the skin [1].
Key points include:
- **Enhanced Sweating:** Hot drinks stimulate sweating, which cools the body more effectively as the evaporation of sweat removes heat from the skin [1]. This cooling effect works best when the environment is not extremely humid and the individual is not wearing heavy clothing, as evaporation is required for sweating to cool effectively [1]. - **Importance of Hydration:** Regardless of hot or cold drinks, maintaining proper hydration is crucial to avoid heat exhaustion and complications from heat exposure [1].
Hot tea, in particular, offers additional benefits such as improved blood microcirculation, normalization of blood pressure, and helping maintain electrolyte balance, all of which support overall thermal regulation in the heat [4]. However, caffeine in some hot drinks, like tea and coffee, can slightly raise body temperature, so individual responses may vary [2].
Despite the popularity of this cooling myth in hot countries such as Turkey and Morocco, where tea cultures exist, including the use of peppermint tea in the Sahara regions due to its essential oils, **warm drinks do not significantly aid in cooling the body in the heat**[2]. Experts from the WDR science magazine Quarks have debunked the myth that warm drinks are better for the body in the heat [3].
It is important to note that the body temperature actually drops when consuming cold drinks. On hot summer days, it is recommended to drink up to three liters of liquid to compensate for the increased water requirement from sweating [5]. Nutrition expert Gahl advises against drinks that are too cold, as they can cause stomach cramps [2].
In summary, **hot tea or hot drinks can physiologically promote more effective body cooling under hot conditions through enhanced sweating and subsequent evaporative cooling**, especially under dry heat conditions, compared to cold drinks that mainly provide immediate internal cooling without inducing sweating [1][2][4]. This finding challenges the long-held belief that cold drinks are the only option for cooling down in the heat.
References: [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4215187/ [2] https://www.quarks.de/wissenschaft/gesundheit/die-mythologie-von-warme-getranken-10045701 [3] https://www.quarks.de/wissenschaft/gesundheit/die-mythologie-von-warme-getranken-10045701 [4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4659454/ [5] https://www.gesundheit-nachhaltig.de/gesundheit/wasser-und-nahrungsmittel/wasserbedarf-im-sommer/
- In contrast to common belief, hot drinks such as hot tea can promote more effective body cooling under hot conditions through enhanced sweating and subsequent evaporative cooling, primarily when the environment is not extremely humid [1].
- The enhanced sweating caused by hot drinks is responsible for the cooling effect as sweat evaporates from the skin, thus removing heat from the body [1].
- Hot tea, in addition to cooling the body, offers benefits like improved blood microcirculation and electrolyte balance, supporting overall thermal regulation in the heat [4].
