This Is Why A Hot Drink Can Actually Cool You Down
The last thing you probably want to do on a sweltering day is sit down with a mug of hot tea, but science tells us that this in fact is the best way to cool down. It seems counter-intuitive, we know, but the explanation makes sense.
It all has to do with sweat.
Drinking a hot drink increases the body’s heat load and the body responds to that by sweating. The output of sweat is greater than the internal heat gain, and this is where it all starts to make sense ― when the sweat evaporates from the skin, it cools us down.
The sweat increases heat loss and reduces body heat storage. Good info to know, and it’s all thanks to Ollie Jay ― a researcher at University of Ottawa’s School of Human Kinetic ― and the research he published in 2012.
Our bodies sweat when we drink something hot because of nerve receptors on our tongue. When our tongue receives the information that a hot beverage is being consumed, it sends that info along to the brain, which then sets about to cool down the body by sweating.
But, there’s a little caveat you should know about. If you’re drinking a hot drink in an environment where the sweat won’t evaporate ― like somewhere hot and humid ― that hot drink probably won’t do the trick. You might want to stick to a cold beverage if that’s the case.
“The hot drink still does add a little heat to the body, so if the sweat’s not going to assist in evaporation, go for a cold drink,” Jay told Smithsonian.com.
In that case, we have a roundup of must-have products for making your own cold brew at home.
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An ultra-simple mason jar brewer
If you’ve ever made cold brew at home without a machine, you know that the straining process can get a bit messy — but this simple system solves that problem. Just add your favorite grounds to the included basket, steep your brew in the fridge, and remove the basket when it’s done. You can store the concentrate in the one-quart jar or drink directly from it on the go. The included lid comes with a convenient pouring spot. If you’re looking for something extremely low-fi, this kit is right up your alley.