When it comes to quenching our thirst during the scorching summer months, hot beverages are often the last thing on our minds. Instead, we tend to gravitate towards refreshing options like sodas, iced drinks, or snow cones to beat the heat. Surprisingly, in certain regions of the world, people opt for hot drinks even on hot days as a means to cool down. Strangely enough, there is evidence to suggest that hot drinks can have a more significant cooling effect on individuals than one might initially assume.
Can Hot Drinks Cool You Off on Hot Days?
A study conducted by Ollie Jay, the director of the Thermal Ergonomics Laboratory at the University of Sydney, supports the idea that hot drinks can actually help cool people down on hot days. Jay, who was an associate professor at the University of Ottawa in Canada at the time, carried out the study in 2012 with the aim of determining the true effectiveness of hot drinks in cooling the body.
The findings of this study confirmed that hot drinks can indeed have a cooling effect on the body. However, it is important to note that there are some minor caveats to consider.
The Findings of the Study
A study conducted by Jay and a team of researchers focused on observing the effects of water temperature on cyclists’ energy loss. The study involved nine participants who were carefully monitored for a duration of 75 minutes. To ensure sweat evaporation, a fan was used to blow on the cyclists during the experiment. The participants consumed water ranging from 35 degrees to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
The researchers compared the amount of energy lost in the form of heat by the cyclists. The results of the study revealed some interesting findings. When the cyclists drank hot water, they experienced a significantly higher loss of energy, amounting to 56 kilojoules more compared to when they consumed room temperature water. On the other hand, drinking cold water resulted in a gain of 21 kilojoules of energy.
These findings indicate that hot water is more effective in cooling down the cyclists’ bodies compared to cold water. Surprisingly, consuming cold water may even lead to an increase in heat retention in the body.