Naked Science Forum

On the Lighter Side => That CAN'T be true! => Topic started by: Budd on 06/03/2010 01:30:04

Title: Do hot drinks actually cool you down on a hot day?
Post by: Budd on 06/03/2010 01:30:04: Budd asked the Naked Scientists:

Hi,

I really enjoy listening to your show on Radio 702's Redi Direko show.

I am battling to get my question through on the show though, therefore may i pose my question via email please... Â

When you feel too warmÂ such as in summer,Â I've heard a theory thatÂ drinking a hot drink such as tea actually cools you down because it makes you sweat more?

Some say this is the case but I'm not convinced as IÂ personallyÂ feel much hotter when drinking a hot drink in summer, and secondly; why then do we drink a hot drink in winter to warm us up?

Thank you, Â Budd

What do you think?
Title: Do hot drinks actually cool you down on a hot day?
Post by: Madidus_Scientia on 06/03/2010 01:40:24: I think warm water is absorbed faster, so would hydrate you faster, but I don't see how it would make you actually cooler than drinking colder water
Title: Do hot drinks actually cool you down on a hot day?
Post by: fontwell on 15/03/2010 09:34:48: This is a well known but totally wrong idea. I have heard it busted several times and I think the book Bad Medicine busted it too (or possibly not).

The suggested mechanism is that a hot drink makes you sweat and then you cool down. This is true, but you are full of hot drink so you have to cool down just to get back to where you were. In the mean time you are actually hotter than before. In the end you return to your previous temperature.
Title: Do hot drinks actually cool you down on a hot day?
Post by: sharkeyandgeorge on 26/03/2010 17:53:46: a cold liquid ingested will increase in temperature till it reaches the same as your body this will draw some heat from your cells cooling you, a hot liquid will cool to the same temperature as your body by heating your cells increasing your core temperature.