Pharmacist's verdict on whether ice cold or room temperature water is best in heatwave
During spells of hot weather, it's so tempting to reach for a tall glass of iced water. But according to one health expert, this could actually end up making you feel even hotter.
With the UK basking in another hot snap, heeding this pharmacist's advice could be an absolute game-changer. This sunny period will constitute the fourth heatwave of the summer so far. An official heatwave is declared when temperatures rise above the heatwave threshold for three consecutive days. That threshold varies from 25C to 28C across the country.
So with that being said, it's important to stay hydrated with plenty of water. And apparently, room temperature is best. A Spanish pharmacist told his 3.7million followers: 'What is better when it is too hot? To drink cold or room-temperature water? Psychologically, it may seem that cold water refreshes you more, but it's not true.
'Because it is colder, it makes your body work more to regulate the temperature, and the body generates heat, so room-temperature water might be better.
'There are even African countries where people drink hot liquids in the summer, and say that it helps to sweat, and sweat helps to cool off, but I think that is a cultural issue that we will never accept here. Imagine how little you feel like drinking tea in the middle of a desert!'
While hot water may not feel like the most appealing idea when it's scorching hot outside, opting for room temperature water could make all the difference.
Room temperature water is closer to your body's natural temperature, so your body doesn't need to expend extra energy to warm it up or cool it down. This allows for quicker hydration.
What's more, it helps to maintain your core body temperature, allowing your body's natural cooling process (sweating) to work efficiently. Cold water can sometimes trick your body into thinking it's cooler than it is, which may reduce sweating and slow down cooling.
Some also believe that drinking room temperature drinks is much easier than sipping on ice cold water. For one, it doesn't give you a brain freeze!
For that reason, you're actually more likely to glug the whole glass down rather than taking smaller sips.
What does the NHS say about drinking water?
The NHS advises: 'Most people should aim to drink enough during the day so their pee is a clear pale yellow colour.
'The Eatwell Guide recommends that people should aim to drink 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid a day. Water, lower-fat milk and sugar-free drinks, including tea and coffee, all count.
'You may need to drink more fluids if you're:
"pregnant or breastfeeding
"in a hot environment
"physically active for long periods
"ill or recovering from illness.'
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