A heatwave has swept across the UK, with temperatures reaching heights of 34°C in certain parts of the country yesterday making it the hottest day of the year so far.
It’s good news for sunseekers as summer has finally made itself known after a wet start to the season, but the spell of warmer weather also comes with warnings.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued yellow heat health alerts for Midlands and southern England which remain in effect this morning and may continue on into the week.
The government body claimed vulnerable groups may be at risk due to the heat, while an ‘increased potential for indoor environments to become very warm’ could lead to strain on healthcare services throughout the region.
Alongside warnings to stay out of the midday sun and wear sunscreen, Brits are advised to drink plenty of fluids in order to avoid dehydration.
Before you reach for your water bottle, though, a doctor has claimed there’s a better option when managing a heatwave: milk.
It’s not the usual go-to come summer; we all remember Anchorman’s Ron Burgundy proclaiming ‘milk was a bad choice’ in the sweltering sunshine, right?.
However, Dr Natasha Fernando, medical director at Medichecks, says it ‘may be more hydrating than water’.
‘A lot of buildings in the UK aren’t well equipped to deal with extreme heat, so it’s more important than ever to look after your hydration levels throughout periods of hot weather,’ she says. ‘However, you don’t have to stick to water alone to boost hydration levels.’
Dr Natasha explains that due to the sugar, protein, and fat content of milk, which slows the rate at which fluid empties from the stomach, a glass of the white stuff helps you to stay hydrated over longer periods.
‘Milk also contains sodium,’ she adds, ‘which allows your body to hold onto water for longer, aiding hydration levels.’
It’s not just cow’s milk either: vegan or lactose-intolerant folks can also benefit with a hit of a plant based alternative, and Dr Natasha highlights that ‘soya milk also contains electrolytes, which aid re-hydration further.’
Alongside milk, she recommends watermelons, coconut water, cucumbers or cucumber juice, and fresh fruit juices diluted with water to help stay cool.
You’ve probably heard that a hot drink on a warm day is better too, and while it’s a classic older relative refrain, there is some truth to it.
It may not be particularly refreshing, but a steaming cup of tea cools you down by prompting your body to sweat.
‘The hot drink somehow has an effect on your systemic cooling mechanisms, which exceeds its actual effect in terms of heating your body,’ Peter McNaughton, a neuroscientist at the University of Cambridge told NPR.
‘That’s probably why chilli peppers are so popular in hot countries because they cause sweating and activate a whole raft of mechanisms which lower the temperature.’
But there is a caveat: your sweat needs to be able to evaporate on your skin. If the air is too humid or you’re wearing a lot of clothing, for example, you’ll just end up feeling slightly warmer than before you popped the kettle on.
So rather than a milky cuppa, you’re probably better off just sticking with the milk.
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This article was originally published on July 18, 2024.
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