2023-08-23 06:00:10
When the mercury rises, our reflex is often to seek refreshment with an ice cold drink. But in countries like Bangladesh, India, Japan and Saudi Arabia, hot tea is a popular drink even in summer. Curiously, in traditional Chinese medicine (According to the official WHO definition, traditional medicine “relates to…) Chinese, some teas are considered refreshing, even when consumed hot.
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According to Peter McNaughton, professor of pharmacology at King’s College London who specializes in thermoregulation, drinking a hot drink can actually cool you down, but on one condition: humidity (Humidity is the presence of water or water vapor in the air or in a substance…) must be low. Initially, a hot drink will increase our body temperature. However, our body is constantly trying to maintain a stable internal temperature. McNaughton discovered that hot drinks activate a nerve receptor called TRPV1, prompting the body to cool down by producing sweat (Sweat is a liquid secreted by the sweat glands during the phenomenon…).
If this sweat evaporates, it takes heat with it, especially in the presence of a breeze or a fan. In dry conditions, sweat is our best ally against the heat. However, in high humidity, the air (Air is the mixture of gases that make up the Earth’s atmosphere. It is odorless and…) saturated with water (Water is a ubiquitous chemical compound on Earth , essential for all…) limits the evaporation of sweat, making the process less efficient .
A 2012 study demonstrated that hot beverages could cool the body, at least temporarily, under ideal conditions for sweat evaporation. Conversely, a cold drink lowers body temperature and signals the brain to reduce sweating.
But beyond the temperature of your drink, hydration remains essential. Cini Bhanu, a clinical researcher at University College London, has studied hydration in older people in the UK. Even if the latter prefer hot tea, it is important to note that it contributes to their hydration.
Workplace heat consultant Matt Brearley also found misconceptions about drink temperatures. While many outdoor workers prefer cold water, some avoid consuming it for fear of thermal shock. He recommends drinking according to your preferences to stay well hydrated.
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