We’ve all been there: it’s cold, raining, and an incredibly depressing situation. But then, you reach for a tea, coffee, or hot chocolate to feel the comforting warmth that your favourite beverage can bring.
Drinking hot beverages in cold weather will seem to have a positive impact on your body, but does it actually offer any benefits? Here’s all you need to know.
Does drinking hot beverages in cold weather aid your temperature?
One of the chief reasons for choosing a hot beverage in cold weather is that it warms you up. Or so it would seem.
In reality, drinking a hot drink when you’re cold is unlikely to raise your core body temperature. Even if it does, the change will be minimal. Nevertheless, the short-term increase in temperature for the hands, mouth, and stomach can feel comforting. So, if you’re looking for a physical and mental reward that helps you forget about the cold for a few moments, drinking a hot beverage is ideal.
Still, drinking a hot drink won’t make much of a difference to your body temperature. So, if you are going to consume a coffee or other beverage, there’s no need to force it down while it’s still boiling hot. A warm beverage is just as useful. Besides, the warm cup will protect your hands from the cold too.
Does drinking hot beverages help in other ways?
In short: definitely.
While the temperature of your drink won’t influence your body with any real impact, staying hydrated certainly well. Hydration levels are crucial for regulating body temperatures at all times. Most people appreciate the need to stay hydrated when it’s hot. In reality, though, it’s equally crucial to remain hydrated when it’s cold too.
In fact, it’s far easier to let yourself become dehydrated in the cold weather. This is because the body naturally forgets about feelings of thirst due to its ongoing battle to stay warm and fight back against the cold. Therefore, you are less likely to feel thirsty when it’s cold, even when your body craves increased hydration.
Sipping on a hot beverage is an ideal way to combat this issue as you won’t only be drinking to quench your thirst. You will also be drinking your hot beverage to feel the comforting warmth in your hands and mouth. As this happens, you’ll be maintaining strong hydration levels, which will regulate your body temperature in a successful manner.
What about drinking cold beverages instead?
Theoretically speaking, drinking cold drinks will equally as beneficial as hot beverages. Then again, while cold drinks won’t lower your body temperature, you should remember that it will make your hands, mouth, and stomach feel the opposite effects of a hot drink. Sadly, this can make drinking cold beverages in the cold a very unpleasant experience indeed.
The reality of the situation is that you are far more likely to drink increased volumes at a more frequent rate when you enjoy the drink. Hot beverages are far more comforting when you’re feeling cold, which instantly gives them a huge benefit over the cold alternatives. Be sure to pick a tea, coffee, or cocoa that you love the taste of too as it will actively encourage you to stay hydrated with greater success rates.
If you want to drink cold beverages, that’s fine too. But if you’re suffering from dehydration in the cold weather, it’s far more likely that hot beverages will be the preferred selection. The best way to encourage this is by using a reusable insulated water bottle. This will allow you to sip your hot drink throughout the day without fear of it going cold, thus taking comfort to a new level.
What other benefits are gained from drinking hot beverages and staying hydrated?
Staying hydrated in the cold weather brings the same benefits as it does in the warm weather. It prevents headaches, dipping energy levels, and bad moods with great success.
However, there are a number of additional rewards that can be gained from drinking hot beverages and staying hydrated. It aids the immune systems natural ability to keep flu and related minor illnesses at bay, which can make daily life far more comfortable and reduce the number of days lost to recovery each year.
Apart from anything else, your favourite hot beverage can be a source of emotional comfort at a time when the weather truly tests your patience. When added to the other benefits mentioned above, there is no question that having a hot beverage to hand will be hugely beneficial throughout the winter months ahead.