Khaberni - Dr. Victoria Stepanova, a gastroenterology specialist, points out that it is not advisable to consume iced drinks in hot weather, as this leads to severe health consequences.
According to her, when liquids ranging in temperature from zero to five degrees Celsius enter an overheated body, the blood vessels in the esophagus and the lining of the stomach constrict sharply, a condition known as vasospasm. Naturally, this reduces blood flow in the stomach walls, slows down the secretion of digestive juices, and affects bowel movement. For those with sensitivities, this can cause severe pain and nausea.
She says: "For a healthy person, a sip or sips of iced water are not disastrous, as the liquid quickly warms up to body temperature while still in the esophagus. However, drinking a cold beverage directly from the freezer on an empty stomach is entirely different. The situation worsens if the person has been exposed to the sun for a long period beforehand, which would have raised their body temperature, creating a significant temperature difference between the outside and the drink, thus increasing the risk of spasm."
According to her, another mechanism, the cooling mechanism, operates at the same time. The pharynx and tonsils cool down significantly. Local immunity weakens, which gives opportunistic bacteria living in the throat a chance to activate again. This explains the phenomenon of "summer sore throat" - it is more prevalent than winter sore throat, and in most cases, it is caused by iced water.
Other factors to consider include the composition of summer drinks. Carbonated sweetened beverages, iced cocktails, and apple juice contain fructose and carbon dioxide. The ice masks the sweetness of the drink, so people do not feel it and end up consuming a large amount of sugar. The gas causes bloating, burping, heartburn, and gas.
She points out that the ideal drink temperature in hot weather ranges between 12 and 15 degrees Celsius, slightly cold, and not frozen. It is advisable to place the cold bottle from the freezer in the shade for 5 to 7 minutes. Before drinking any cold beverage, it is recommended to drink a few sips of room temperature water. Drink small amounts ranging from 30 to 50 ml, and let the liquid warm up in your mouth.
According to her, it is not advisable to consume ice cream and frozen desserts with iced water, as it may cause a double cold shock. If a person experiences throat pain or sharp stomach ache immediately after drinking a very cold beverage, they should drink a warm drink like warm tea to alleviate the pain and improve the condition.
She says: ""Water at its normal temperature cools the body better than ice because the body absorbs it faster and rehydrates the body effectively."
