Hot beverages like hot tea, cocoa, and coffee increase body temperature. While alcohol initially feels warming due to vasodilation (widening of blood vessels), it ultimately leads to heat loss and can worsen the situation.
Understanding Body Temperature Regulation
The human body maintains a relatively stable internal temperature through various mechanisms. When the body is exposed to cold temperatures, it works to conserve heat. Conversely, when the body overheats, it employs mechanisms like sweating to cool down. Consuming warm drinks aids in increasing internal temperature, providing a temporary feeling of warmth. Cold drinks, conversely, cool the body.
Drinks That Increase Body Temperature
Several hot drinks are effective in raising body temperature:
- Hot Tea: Provides warmth and hydration.
- Cocoa: Rich in antioxidants and provides a comforting warmth.
- Coffee: Offers a stimulating effect along with warmth.
- Warm broths and soups: These provide warmth along with nutrients.
It's important to remember that the effect is temporary and that prolonged exposure to cold environments requires more substantial measures for warmth.
Drinks that Appear to Increase Body Temperature but Actually Don't
Alcohol, while providing a temporary sensation of warmth, does not actually increase core body temperature. The vasodilation it causes leads to increased blood flow to the skin, causing a sensation of warmth, but this effect ultimately leads to increased heat loss and can even lower core body temperature.
References:
- Alcohol does not warm you, and despite the feeling of warmth, it actually will cause you to lose heat from where you need it most. Hot tea, cocoa, coffee, and hot food will warm you up. Also, a hot shower and wearing more layers of clothes will do that, too. 06-Nov-2018
- There are also some foods and beverages you can consume to warm yourself up. Hot tea or coffee. A warm, soothing beverage can warm up your body… Jan 5, 2021
- Alcohol widens your blood vessels, making more blood flow to your skin. That makes you blush and feel warm and… Sep 29, 2023
