Do Hot Drinks Really Cool You Down in Hot Weather?
It might sound counterintuitive, but many cultures in hot climates—such as Morocco and India—have long-standing traditions of drinking hot tea in extreme heat. If you have ever heard that a hot drink can actually cool you down, you may wonder whether there is any scientific basis for this claim.
Surprisingly, research suggests that hot drinks can help lower body temperature—but only under certain conditions.
The Science Behind Drinking Hot Beverages in Hot Weather
The human body has an internal cooling system that regulates temperature. When you drink a hot beverage, your body responds by increasing sweat production. As this sweat evaporates, it removes heat from your body, ultimately leaving you cooler.
A study from the University of Ottawa found that drinking hot liquids in hot weather led to a greater sweat response, which helped cool the body more efficiently. However, this effect only works if the sweat can evaporate completely, which is most effective in dry, breezy conditions.
Why Do Hot Drinks Make You Sweat More?
- Activates Thermoregulation: A hot drink raises your core temperature slightly, signaling your body to produce more sweat.
- More Sweat Leads to More Cooling: As sweat evaporates, it removes heat from the body, resulting in a cooling effect.
- Works Best in Dry Climates: The cooling effect is strongest when sweat can fully evaporate, which is less effective in humid conditions where sweat lingers on the skin.
When Do Hot Drinks Help, and When Do They Backfire?
Best Conditions for Cooling
- Hot, dry weather, such as desert or arid climates
- Light clothing that allows sweat to evaporate
- Airflow, such as a breeze, fan, or open space to aid sweat evaporation
When It May Not Work
- High humidity, where sweat does not evaporate as efficiently
- Thick or tight clothing that traps sweat and prevents cooling
- Excessively hot drinks that temporarily raise body temperature before the cooling effect takes place
Hot vs. Cold Drinks: Which is Better for Cooling?
Cold drinks provide an immediate cooling sensation in the mouth and throat but may cause the body to retain heat by reducing sweating.
Hot drinks initially make the body feel warmer but can lead to more effective cooling in dry heat by increasing sweat production.
In humid conditions, a cold drink is more effective because sweating does not evaporate efficiently. In dry heat, a hot drink may actually help cool the body more effectively in the long run.
Should You Drink Hot Beverages in Hot Weather?
Yes, if you are in a dry, breezy environment where sweat can evaporate freely.
No, if you are in a humid climate where sweat lingers on the skin without evaporating efficiently.
Next time you are choosing between a hot or cold beverage on a hot day, consider your environment—it may influence how effectively you cool down.