Brits warned against drinking orange juice this weekend for crucial reason

Daily Mirror

6 hours ago

Brits are being encouraged to avoid popular beverages such as orange juice, alcohol, fizzy pop, and even smoothies over the next couple of days - or risk causing harm to the body
Brits have been issued a stark warning about drinking seemingly-harmless orange juice in the coming days.
With the UK facing the hottest days of the year so far, health authorities are urging the public to be especially careful about their beverage choices during the ongoing heatwave. On June 19, temperatures reached a scorching 32°C in some areas of Great Britain — making it the hottest day of the year so far — with similar highs expected on June 20 and a peak of 33°C on Saturday.
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While many people might instinctively reach for a cold, refreshing thirst-quencher to cool down, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a warning against drinking orange juice, as well as other fruit juices, during the heatwave. The UKHSA explains that 'fruit juice, smoothies and soft drinks can be high in sugar which dehydrates the body'.
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It therefore advises people to 'limit the amount of fruit juice or smoothies that you drink, and swap sugary soft drinks for diet, sugar-free or no added sugar varieties'. Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, with the risk heightened during periods of extreme heat.
To avoid becoming dehydrated, its recommended options to stay healthily hydrated are water, diluted squash and lower fat milks. If dehydration is not addressed, it can lead to more severe health problems such as kidney failure, kidney failure or, in the most severe cases, even brain damage.
The UKHSA stresses the importance of drinking fluids regularly throughout the day, especially for those who are physically active. The advice is clear and includes a simple indicator for when you are in fact adequately hydrated.
"You should drink enough that your pee is a pale straw colour," the body states. And it is not just sugary drinks that should be avoided in the heat. Despite the appeal of a cold pint in a sunny beer garden, alcohol is also best left alone during a heatwave.
The UKHSA cautions: " Alcohol has a dehydrating effect on the body. So, it is a good idea to choose alcohol-free options, or alternate alcoholic drinks with a glass of water."
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This advice is particularly relevant as yellow heat health alerts have been activated for most of England, warning of increased risks to vulnerable groups and greater demand on healthcare services. The current spell of hot weather follows a record-breaking day last Friday, when temperatures reached 29.4°C at Santon Downham in Suffolk, surpassing the previous high for 2025.
However, this week's temperatures are not expected to break the all-time June record of 35.6°C set in Southampton during the famous heatwave of 1976. Despite this, the risks associated with heatwaves remain significant, especially for older adults, people with long-term health conditions and younger children.
The UKHSA and health experts continue to urge everyone to take sensible precautions and stay hydrated with the right drinks, as well as checking on vulnerable friends, family and neighbours to ensure their safety during the extreme heat. Still, enjoy the sun while you can - as in typical British fashion, rain will soon be on the way.