Hot tea in hot weather – does it quench the thirst better?

Hot tea in hot weather – does it quench the thirst better?

Does hot tea really help in hot weather? People living in countries with a lot of sunshine often drink a hot tea infusion. Moroccans, for example, like it sweet, with the addition of mint, as do the Bedouins in the desert or the people of Kazakhstan and Russia, who brew their tea in constantly heated samovars. But why do they choose hot tea over cold tea which seems to be more refreshing?

Hot tea simply raises body temperature, making it seem cooler than it really is. This means that we sweat less and therefore don’t  feel thirsty due to the heat so often. Strongly brewed black tea contains tannins which have an astringent and antiseptic effect, as well as purine and rutin which make blood vessels more flexible. As a result, it provides relief from gastrointestinal disorders, which are common during hot weather.

Green tea, on the other hand, when brewed briefly, is rich in antioxidants that help fight free radicals produced by exposure to the intense sun rays.

Also, the caffeine contained in tea has the effect of reducing the feeling of thirst. It stimulates the secretion of adrenaline and norepinephrine, which makes us feel more stimulated and full of energy.

However, we should not be fooled by the apparent feeling of coolness after drinking hot tea. Although we sweat less, green tea has a diuretic effect. Lack of adequate hydration may lead to fatigue and weakness. Therefore, it is important to adjust the amount of consumed fluids to the individual needs of the body, lifestyle and physical activity.

It is recommended that fluid intake per day should be about 2 litres of fluids, also taking into account the fluids contained in food.