In the "Seasonal Question" series, we wondered at what temperature it was best to drink when the sun was shining. Intuitively, we would tend to say that we should drink cold when it was hot ... but that might be a preconceived idea, who knows... Our two Marmots investigated with the tip of their snouts.
As you probably know, in some places people drink hot tea even in the middle of the desert.
It's no myth that piping hot green tea with mint from the Maghreb is a must, but it's not a widespread consumption habit in all the hot zones of the planet.
So why drink hot drinks when it's hot? Is it a false good idea?
It is said that this habit has several virtues.
Drinking hot drinks when it's hot tends to make us sweat, and this sweating serves to naturally cool our bodies.
It is also said that a hot drink drunk in hot weather can help prevent the famous thermal shock.
Finally, a hot drink would act as a bodily regulator when temperatures rise. That's the theory!
But in practice, it all depends on a number of parameters: ambient humidity level, activities carried out, your level of dehydration, etc.
In summary: drinking too hot during a heatwave will raise the body's internal temperature.
If you are dying of heat, drinking a very hot drink will raise your body temperature.
The sweat generated will cause you to lose water, thus dehydrating you. In addition, certain hot drinks like coffee also have a diuretic effect, which accentuates dehydration.
If at the same time the ambient humidity hinders the effectiveness of the body's cooling through perspiration, drinking hot tea or coffee will tend to make you even hotter!
So drinking hot drinks when it's hot is why not, but you still have to choose the right temperature and pay attention to your environment.
That's why scientists recommend drinking warm or room temperature water instead . This way you can hydrate without feeling the effects of heat.
The advantage of drinking cold drinks when the mercury rises is the invigorating effect it provides. It's true that a cold, even iced, drink tends to give us an immediate feeling of well-being. Our mouth is flooded with a wave of freshness that instantly feels great and even gives us a nice boost.
Here too, you have to be careful. For example, by drinking large quantities of iced water in direct sunlight, you run the risk of thermal shock. Headaches, stomach aches, cramps: frankly, it doesn't feel good!
In case of a heatwave or after exercise, prefer fresh (or lukewarm) water without ice cubes to iced water.
Similarly, if it's hot but humid, leave hot drinks in the cupboard temporarily and opt instead for a room temperature drink that will soothe the body without overheating it.
In summary: drinking something very cold to cool down is good for cooling off for a few moments but it doesn't quench your thirst!
Last but not least, sugary drinks tend to reactivate the sensation of thirst.
In addition, the digestive system is used to process them, and this generates internal heat.
Sugary drinks such as sodas, sweetened fruit juices, industrial iced teas, etc. should therefore be avoided if the goal is to quench your thirst and stay hydrated.
"He who drinks sweet things will become more and more thirsty," says Marmottes.
In our TOP 1 of the best summer drinks, we present to you... water!
And yes, there's nothing like a little fresh water to compensate for losses due to heat and perspiration.
The good news is that there are water-based drinks that also fulfill this mission.
We are thinking, for example, of cold infusions or Rooibos to be enjoyed warm or cold or iced teas... all of this without sugar or flavoring, of course.
To get a feeling of freshness, we recommend choosing recipes based on mint , verbena, ginger, citrus fruits or hibiscus.
If you feel like it, you can also make your own flavored water by letting it infuse in the fridge for a few hours in a carafe with cucumber or lemon slices and fresh herbs from your garden.
Finally, smoothies or fruit juices can also be part of the menu, provided you choose fruits rich in water (watermelon, melon, strawberry, cucumber, lemon, etc.) and consume them in moderation.
On the other hand, we will forget coffee, sugary drinks and alcohol: they will tend to dehydrate you and even increase the sensation of heat.
For an alcohol-free summer aperitif, you can try recipes for plant-based mocktails , alcohol-free cocktails that are just as festive and colorful.
Marmottes Tip: For optimal hydration, remember to wet your skin with damp cloths or a water sprayer.
Does this article make you really, really want to drink iced tea or cold brew? We understand!
To prepare our iced mint green tea with our Menth'Olé tea, our Lemon tea or our Mint Duo , Fennel or Fruit Mix herbal teas, simply infuse hot at the temperature indicated on the box, for the recommended time then leave to cool in the fridge.
It's best to consume your drink during the day, adding 1 or 2 fruity ice cubes, but not too many.
Homemade herbal teas and iced teas
