Against the general belief, the consumption of very cold drinks does not help to lower the body temperature.

External heat, when it is excessive, can end up being a problem for health. We lose much more liquid than we think by evaporation. To get an idea, we are like a plate of water exposed to the sun at temperatures of around 30ºC. On the other hand, with bad hydration the body temperature increases and some symptoms may appear such as headache, nausea, intense thirst and drowsiness.

Consequently, during summer heat waves, if the increase in temperatures is accompanied by a poor consumption of liquids, can lead to dehydration problems that, sometimes, lead to sunstroke, fainting and heat stroke. The best way to avoid these complications is definitely to drink water, but is it better that the drinks consumed are cold or hot? How is the heat relieved more effectively?

Remember that you will need a slushy machine to prepare one of these smoothies properly, here at Snow Flow you will find slushy machines that you can rent for your special event or party. We also have popcorn machines and other options to make your event more fun for all your guests.

Water, the big star, but without gas

When it is hot, the body loses fluid in the form of sweat. To avoid this, it is advisable to advance to thirst at all times and provide the body with liquids before it asks us to do so. But not everything goes for proper hydration, because not all beverages provide the same effects and benefits. The most important liquid, which is essential for the proper functioning and water balance of the organism, is water.

This drink is essential for many actions: for the transport of nutrients and oxygen in the body, for the regulation of body temperature or for the elimination of wastes. It is also important for digestion, absorption and metabolism. In addition to water, another effective and healthy way to hydrate the body are water-rich foods such as soups, fruits and vegetables, fruit juices -with moderation-, or tea without theine or little theine.

Lemon is also good, with water or granita, (the lemon causes saliva, therefore, it hydrates the body), smoothies with fruits and infusions. Soft drinks do not fall into this category because, due to their high sugar content, they cause more thirst and do not hydrate the body enough. No, the beer neither reduces the heat nor hydrates us properly.

Nor should we be fooled by the sparkling water because, in addition to not quench thirst, they cause an unwanted effect because they give a bloated belly sensation. As for alcoholic beverages, they provide liquid but alcohol increases the loss of body water, which does not help to hydrate the body, on the contrary, they have a dehydrating effect.

Cold or hot?

On the question of what to drink, whether cold or hot, specially when we talk about drinks like infusions, to mitigate the heat, we must first clarify one aspect. Beverages, when they enter the body, assimilate body temperature (which is usually about 37 º C). A cold drink causes a better thermal sensation, it is more appetising when it is hot because it transmits, through the mouth, a refreshing sensation.

But its benefits do not go beyond. If we ingest a large amount of cold liquid, whether it is water or any other drink, the body must face a sudden drop in temperature and is forced to work more to recover the 37 º C, a function that involves a high cost of reserves energetic and that results in the opposite of the desired, as it will heat us up.

In summary: the consumption of cold drinks, therefore, causes the body to have to work more to equate them with body temperature, which means that it has to make an effort that is not always positive. In addition, the sensation of freshness evaporates more quickly with the intake of very cold drinks; The more energy the organism needs, the more heat it will feel afterwards.

It is worth mentioning, fruit juices should only be consumed occasionally, given their sugar content. The effect is similar to that suffered by the body when we take a shower of cold water: the cold shock of the cold water on the body produces a very pleasant instantaneous sensation of freshness, but the energy expenditure will cause us to feel heat more quickly.

Hot drinks can be refreshing

On the other hand, hot drinks in summer often cause rejection, because it does not feel like it given the ambient temperature. Therefore, it ends up taking less amount of liquid than would be necessary if the drink is hot. How do you explain then that in countries like Morocco consume mostly hot drinks, despite the heat? Basically, for cultural reasons, because it is customary and because when they consume a hot drink, the body starts to sweat, which helps to cool the body.

The most advisable is to consume liquids at room temperature, at a temperature that resembles that of our body, so as to avoid alterations in the body and unnecessary overexertion, because this will not have to work more to assimilate to the temperature have thermal difference. More than cold drinks, it is best to take them fresh, so that it is appetising but that sudden changes in temperature are avoided.

However, it is impossible to deny that a good cold drink can make any summer afternoon way easier to enjoy when having a cold tasty drink made from fruits. Here at Snow Flow we are ready to offer you excellent services to organise your party and make it memorable, from slushy machines you can use to prepare some daiquiris to popcorn machines for the movie-like theme. However, this slushy machines are also an excellent option if you want to spend your summer by the poolside with a tropical fresh drink.