Heat Wave: Why Avoid Iced Drinks?

This is a reflex for many people during heat waves. As France will face a new heat wave from Monday July 18, 2022, staying well hydrated is very important. To alleviate the feeling of body overheating, it is very tempting to enjoy a very cold drink. Unfortunately, this is not such a good idea, quite the contrary. Many doctors even recommend the opposite. Emergency doctor Gérald Kierzek returned to this subject at the microphone of TF1. Drinking an iced drink will initially cause “a feeling of freshness, but then the body will draw on its resources to return to the temperature of 37°C, which will tire it out” explained the doctor. The body, already put to the test during a heat wave, would therefore be even more weakened by ingesting a drink that is too cold.

This recommendation is valid for all drinks: water, tea, soda, but also for food. In addition to tiring the body a little more, consuming too cold would have another harm. According to the Améli website, drinking or eating ice cold could alleviate the feeling of thirst. While this may seem innocuous, during a heat wave, it can be dangerous. Indeed, with a reduced feeling of thirst, we would tend to hydrate less, contrary to what is strongly recommended during hot weather. In addition, drinking a drink that is too cold can cause stomach aches due to a slight narrowing of the blood vessels, which can hinder the digestive process.

It is best to stay well hydrated and drink drinks at room temperature (around 13°C). You can also drink hot or very hot (like tea or infusions) because it accelerates the process of heat evacuation through sweating. Among the drinks to avoid, we find sodas, very sweet, they do not hydrate completely, and alcohol which promotes dehydration.