I was just at a café with a friend last week, and she deliberated over the menu, glancing longingly at the hot chocolate part. "I wish I could have one," she sighed, "but it's 40 degrees outside, won't it make me hotter instead?" Her problem made me stop and think. We've always been led to believe that cold beverages are the best bet on hot days, but her craving piqued my interest. Might there really be a good reason she should have that hot chocolate, yes, even in the blistering heat?

It turns out science may have her back. When the mercury goes up and the sun beats down, most of us reach for cool, soothing beverages- ice water, lemonade, or an iced coffee. The idea of sipping something hot during a heat wave is counterintuitive. But in many countries such as Bangladesh, India, Japan, and Saudi Arabia, it's nothing unusual for individuals to drink hot drinks even during the heat of the summer. In fact, traditional Chinese medicine even prescribes that certain teas have a cooling effect on the body, even if they're consumed hot. So can hot drinks actually cool you down when the weather gets really hot?

It happens that the science behind this will amaze you.

How Do Hot Drinks Have A Cooling Effect?

At first it appears totally irrational—harking back a cup of hot on a scorching hot day would probably make you hotter, right? Well, not precisely. When we consume something warmer than the temperature of our bodies, we are, naturally, going to initially feel a boost in heat. But our bodies are highly adjusted to keep our internal temperature stable, a process labeled as thermoregulation. That's where things get fascinating.

Hot drinks stimulate a specific receptor in our nerves called TRPV1. TRPV1 is the receptor for heat and alerts the body to cool down. Therefore, whenever we consume a hot drink, our body responds by initiating a cooling response- sweating but sweat is not only a pesky side effect of having a hot drink it is also essential to the survival of the body in hot climates. As sweat evaporates from the skin, it takes heat with it and cools the body. The secret to this method is having a breeze or air flow to facilitate that sweat evaporating effectively.

This is the reason that on a dry but hot day, sipping a hot drink and sweating will actually cool your body down, as long as there is sufficient airflow to allow for evaporation.

Humidity vs. Dry Heat

Though hot drinks can actually chill you down, there is an important caveat here—the humidity index. Under dry heat, evaporation works better, enabling the sweat to cool you down quicker. Under conditions of high humidity, though, the air will be filled with moisture, hence it is not as easy for sweat to evaporate. For such a weather, hot beverages might not act as coolers, and on the contrary, they might leave you worse.

A 2012 study published in Acta Physiologica examined the effects of hot drinks on cyclists in a dry, low-humidity environment. The researchers found that when the cyclists consumed hot drinks, they sweated more, and their body temperature dropped due to efficient evaporation. This study supports the idea that in the right conditions namely, dry heat, a hot beverage can provide a temporary cooling effect.

In contrast, if we consume something cold, our body temperature decreases, and thus the brain sends a message that it should decrease sweating in an effort to get back to homeostasis. This is the reason why cold beverages give an instantaneous cooling sensation but are perhaps less effective at assisting your body to control temperature in the long run, particularly in humid environments.

Hydration is Key to Sweating

Aside from inducing sweating, hot beverages can also assist in hydration—a very important part of cooling off. Although cold drinks are more commonly linked with hydration, the truth is that consuming hot beverages can be equally as hydrating as water, particularly when had in moderation.

Keeping yourself well-hydrated is important so that your body can sweat efficiently. Without sufficient fluids, your body will not be able to generate the sweat needed for cooling. Indeed, in certain instances, having something hot, such as tea, might even aid in replenishing lost fluids and electrolytes when sweating. Tea consumers who use additives such as sugar, salt, or cream are also consuming extra electrolytes—much like you would obtain from sports beverages.

What Role Electrolytes and Salt Play?

Electrolytes are necessary to keep your body's fluids in balance, and they also play a major role in cooling you down when the weather is hot. When we perspire, we lose sodium and potassium electrolytes, and if these are not replenished, it can weaken the body's capacity to regulate temperature. For this reason, some experts advise drinking fluids like hot tea with sugar or salt added to assist in replenishing electrolytes.

Research from a 2017 study published in Safety and Health at Work found that outdoor workers, particularly those in high-heat environments, often prefer cold drinks but avoid them due to the belief that cold beverages might shock their system. As a result, they tend to drink less overall and are at risk of dehydration. This highlights the importance of staying hydrated, regardless of whether you’re drinking hot or cold beverages.

It's also to be noted that the consumption of hot drinks during hot climates isn't particular to some geographical locations; it's actually an entrenched tradition among several cultures around the globe. It's for instance common to take hot tea or coffee during summers in the Middle East and portions of Asia. Not just that, it assists in cooling down the body as well, and it also happens to be an experience many like to relish.

Conventional knowledge in nations such as India tends to promote the consumption of hot chai as a means of balancing the body's internal temperature. Indeed, in certain cultures, it is believed that the intake of hot drinks during hot days will balance the body's internal heat, restoring comfort and harmony.

Why You Should Drink What Works for You?

Ultimately, the idea of sipping hot beverages to cool down is scientifically supported- provided the circumstances are right. The cooling action is largely because of the sweating response of the body, which, in turn, cools the body down. Nevertheless, it should be noted that this action is most effective in dry heat, where sweat can evaporate efficiently. In humid environments, you may find cold beverages provide a faster and more perceptible cooling sensation.

In the end, whether you like hot or cold drinks in the heat, hydration is the most critical component of keeping your body's temperature regulation intact. With hotter summers and shifting climate patterns, the science of hot drinks and cooling might be more pertinent than ever.

5 Surprising Hot Drinks That Might Actually Help You Cool Down

While the idea of sipping something hot on a blazing day sounds counterproductive, certain traditional beverages are designed to support your body’s natural cooling mechanisms. Here are five hot drinks from around the world that may help your body beat the heat:

1. Masala Chai

Often consumed piping hot in the peak of summer, masala chai isn't just about the comforting blend of spices. The heat triggers sweat production, and when that sweat evaporates, it cools your body down. The added spices like ginger and cardamom also help in digestion and hydration.

2. Mint Tea

Served hot even in desert climates, mint tea is both soothing and cooling. Mint leaves contain menthol, which tricks the brain into feeling cool, and the warm liquid encourages perspiration, assisting in thermoregulation.

3. Ginger Tea

Used in traditional Chinese medicine, ginger tea is said to balance internal heat and cold. It boosts circulation and supports gentle perspiration, which helps regulate internal temperature—especially when consumed in dry climates.

4. Hot Barley Tea

Known as mugicha in Japan and bori-cha in Korea, this caffeine-free roasted barley tea is served hot or cold. When hot, it encourages mild sweating and supports detoxification, helping you cool off from the inside out.

5. Herbal Infusions with Lemon Balm or Chamomile

Popular in European households, these herbal teas calm the nervous system and promote sweating in a gentle, regulated way. They're ideal for a warm summer evening when you want to wind down and beat the residual heat.

Each of these drinks comes from cultures that have long endured hot, dry climates and their time-tested practices show that sometimes, the smartest way to cool down is by warming up first.

When it comes to adding fats to our diet, many people are reluctant, believing all kinds of oils and butter must be avoided for health reasons. However, that is not true, oils also have health benefits for us, we just have to pick the right ones. During breakfast many people opt for butter toast or fresh pancakes topped off with a cube of butter. While these breakfast staples are tasty, making a simple change could help us slash the risk of cancer.

Why Make the Switch?

The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, looked at over 221,000 adults. It found that eating more butter was linked to a higher risk of death overall and from cancer. On the flip side, consuming more plant-based oils was associated with a lower risk of death from all causes, cancer, and heart disease. Researchers specifically highlighted olive, soybean, and canola oils as beneficial choices.

Over a 33-year period, the study recorded about 51,000 deaths, including over 12,000 from cancer and 11,000 from heart disease.

Numbers Speak for Themselves

The study's findings are compelling:

• High butter intake was linked to a 15% higher risk of death compared to low intake.
• High plant-based oil intake was linked to a 16% lower risk of death.
• Specifically, eating more canola, soybean, and olive oil was individually tied to a lower risk of death.

For every 5 grams of butter swapped daily:

• Using canola oil was linked to a 15% lower risk of death.
• Using soybean oil was linked to a 6% lower risk of death.
• Using olive oil was linked to an 8% lower risk of death.

Additionally, for every extra 10 grams of plant-based oils consumed daily, there was an 11% lower risk of cancer death and a 6% lower risk of heart disease death. Replacing just 10 grams of butter a day with plant-based oil was estimated to lower the overall death risk and cancer risk by 17%. The study concluded that swapping butter for plant-based oils can offer "substantial benefits for preventing premature deaths."

Healthy Plant Based Oils To Try

According to the Heart Organization, swapping out "bad" fats for "good" ones is a smart move for your heart's health. The "bad" fats are mainly saturated and trans fats, while the "good" ones are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. An easy way to do this is by choosing non-tropical vegetable oils for cooking and preparing your meals. These liquid oils are much healthier options compared to solid fats like butter

One thing to keep in mind is that when you're at the grocery store looking for healthy oils, aim for those with less than 4 grams of saturated fat per tablespoon. Also, always check the label to make sure they don't contain partially hydrogenated oils or trans fats.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a kitchen favorite worldwide because it's so flexible and has a medium smoke point (around 350°F), suitable for many common recipes, including baking. This versatile oil boasts healthy fats, like oleic acid, which may reduce inflammation and support heart health, making it a smart everyday choice.

Avocado Oil

Avocado oil is excellent for high-heat cooking such as deep frying, thanks to its very high smoke point (around 520°F). It offers a neutral taste and is packed with heart-healthy fats, similar to olive oil. Some studies suggest it can help lower bad cholesterol and support liver health.

Sesame Oil

Sesame oil has a medium-high smoke point (about 410°F) and a pleasant, nutty flavor, making it great for sautéing and general cooking. It's rich in antioxidants that may protect your brain and help manage blood sugar levels, contributing to overall well-being. Remember, toasted sesame oil is best for flavor, not high-heat cooking.

Safflower Oil

Safflower oil boasts a high smoke point (around 510°F), making it ideal for frying and high-heat cooking. It's low in saturated fat and high in beneficial unsaturated fats, particularly high oleic varieties. This can help reduce the risk of heart disease, making it a healthy and versatile option for your kitchen.

The internet is never out of trend, and for today, we have the trend of the viral Cortisol Cocktail. This one claims to actually help you with stress.

Not that we need to prove people that we are all experiencing a collective burnout that is making the Cortisol Cocktail trend, but just in case one needed to know, as per the Censis-Eudaimon Report, 31.8% of people feel close to burnout due to work stress.

Many reports, including the data from Mental Health Foundation that has published the stress statistics have also noted that more people are stressed than ever. In fact, we are more stressed than we look like. So it kind of makes sense when you see social media feed filled with hacks to bust your stress.

So, let's dive deep into this viral drink.

What Is A Cortisol Cocktail?

It is also known as the Adrenal Cocktail. It is a drink that has orange juice, coconut water, and salt as the main ingredient, among other ingredients. This claims to boost your energy, ease your stress, and also promote weight loss.

Through orange juice, you can get your vitamin C levels checked, coconut water provides you potassium, and salt is for sodium.

As per WebMD who spoke to Theodore C. Friedman, MD, PhD, professor of medicine at the UCLA School of Medicine and chief of the division of endocrinology, molecular medicine and metabolism at Charles R. Drew University, the adrenal glands are located right below our kidneys. They are responsible for producing more than 50 hormones, which also includes 'stress' hormones or cortisol and aldosterone, which maintains body's sodium balance. Thus this viral drink can boost the levels of sodium and help you energize your worn-out glands.

The Recipe To Release Your Stress

200 ml of coconut water

½ squeezed lemon

50 ml of orange juice

1 teaspoon of magnesium powder

¼ teaspoon fine salt

Sparkling water to taste

Why Are These Ingredients Important?

Coconut Water - Potassium

An estimated amount of 98% of potassium in your body is used and found in your cells. Once potassium is in your body, it works like an electrolyte and when it dissolves in water, it becomes positive or negative ions that can conduct electricity. Potassium ions carry positive charge and it helps to maintain fluid balance, sends nerve signals and regulates muscle contractions.

It is not an unknown fact that stress induces heart attack, panic attacks, and impacts cardiovascular health. This is where potassium does wonder. It helps lowering blood pressure, reduces water retention, and protects one against stroke. Cortisol release too can affect your electrolyte balance, and potassium can thus help balance it.

Orange Juice or Lemon - Vitamin C

Studies, including a 2020 study published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, titled The Role of Vitamin C in Stress-related Disorders, notes that vitamin C deficiency is widely associated with stress-related diseases. The ascorbic acid supplementation that is produced in vitamin C can work as antidepressant and enhance the mood.

Salt - Sodium

Too much of salt can in fact increase your stress and anxiety levels. A 2023 study published in Oxford Journals of Chemical Senses notes that licking of salt is associated with depression, stress, and anxiety. However, a pinch of it can help maintain the adrenal glands, as mentioned above.

Research from the University of Haifa published in the science journal Appetite has confirmed the relationship between salt and stress in humans. Researchers found an inverse correlation between salt and depression/stress, especially in women. In essence, the body is self-regulating to prevent stress and depression by making us crave salt.

A landmark move that could reshape how food products are labeled in the US will be taking place first in Texas. This is going to align the movement of Make America Healthy Again (MAHA), an off-shoot of Republican's Make America Great Again, an effort that focuses on making a healthy America by changing food and other lifestyle habits. While a lot under MAHA may not sit right with many people, including the vaccine backlash, but ensuring that people are aware of what they are consuming is the right way to do it.

Under this, Texas has become the first state to pass a law requiring warning labels on food and beverages that contain certain artificial dyes and additives. The legislation, signed into law by Republican Governor Greg Abbott, applies to over 40 commonly used food ingredients, including bleached flour, red dye 40, and yellow dye 50.

The decision has shaken the food industry and may have far-reaching consequences, and not just in Texas, but throughout the nation.

This is coming at the backdrop of RFK Jr's Food Dye Plan. Robert F Kennedy Jr has been a longtime critic of synthetic additives. He has, from time and again emphasized that Americans are consuming artificial chemicals without their knowledge or consent. "Four years from now, we are going to have most of these products off the market - or clearly labeled so you know what you are buying," he stated during a press briefing.

In April, the Trump administration announced its plan to phase out petroleum-based artificial food dyes from the US food supply. The Trump administration and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), headed by Robert F Kennedy Jr., described this as a "significant milestone".

What Is The New Law?

Under the new law, products sold in Texas that contain any of the specified dyes or additives must include a high-contrast warning label. The label will read:

“WARNING: This product contains an ingredient that is not recommended for consumption by the appropriate authority in Australia, Canada, the European Union, or the United Kingdom.”

This means that thousands of packaged foods—from cereals to snacks and beverages—may soon carry these warning labels if manufacturers don’t change their ingredients.

Why Is This A Landmark Move?

What makes this law stand out is not just its content but its origin. Until now, such health-driven food regulation had been the domain of more liberal states, such as California. Texas, a traditionally conservative state, taking this step signals a shift in how food safety is being approached across the political spectrum.

According to Scott Faber of the nonprofit Environmental Working Group, as also reported in the Washington Post, “When a state as big as Texas requires a warning, that will have an impact on the entire marketplace.”

It’s no small move. Texas has a massive consumer base, and most major food brands will find it difficult to ignore the state’s requirements. This could lead to sweeping changes in product formulations or labeling practices nationwide.

A Push For MAHA: Make America Healthy Again

As noted above, this new regulation is aligned with Health and Human Service Secretary RFK JR.'s MAHA agenda. The broader mission of MAHA is to reduce chronic disease and childhood illness through better health policies. That includes eliminating certain food additives that have been linked in other countries to health concerns.

Interestingly, support for the law in Texas came from both Democrats and Republicans—a rare bipartisan agreement in today’s political climate.

Republican State Senator Lois Kolkhorst, who sponsored the bill, said, “This is a national conversation about America’s health outcomes because we are spending more on health care than any other nation in the world.” She also shared that Kennedy had personally urged her to pass the bill.

However, the food industry is not happy with this law. The Consumer Brands Association, which represents major food companies, sent a letter to Governor Abbott urging him to veto the legislation. They argue that these additives are safe according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which follows a science- and risk-based evaluation process.