Yes, You Should Drink Hot Drinks on Hot Days

Drinking tea on hot days
Photo by Svitlana on Unsplash

Old conventional wisdom tells us that on hot days, we should drink hot tea or coffee. This, supposedly, will heat up our bodies so that the air outside feels cooler. It sounds a bit like an old wives’ tale, and of course many people opt for cold drinks on hot days. But as it turns out, there is evidence to back up this old trick.

Traditionally, people in countries with hot climates such as India, Malaysia, Egypt, or South Africa drink hot tea all year round. In Morocco, many people drink mint tea, while in Turkey, apple tea is served all day long. Similarly, in northern China and Vietnam, hot and spicy soups help people stave off summer heat. Chili peppers have a similar effect on the body to hot temperatures, so spice comes in handy on hot days.

So, how does this work? It turns out that hot tea and hot peppers set off your tongue’s heat receptors, which tell your brain that you’re feeling very warm. Your brain, in turn, turns on your sweat glands and takes other action to cool you down as well. So heat leaves the body much faster than it would if you drank something cold.

So next time you’re feeling too hot to handle, try reaching for a nice hot cup of tea instead of an iced coffee. You may find it more refreshing than expected.