Should you avoid coffee when it's hot?

We know to avoid cold drinks during a heatwave, but what about hot drinks like coffee?

In summer, we tend to crave cold drinks. But coffee lovers generally don't stop drinking it when it's hot. A little coffee on a terrace is even more pleasant in the sun! But is it a good idea for your health?

During hot weather, it's essential to make the right choices when it comes to food and drink. The body has a particular need for hydration to replenish water lost through perspiration. This is why it's recommended to drink regularly during heatwaves, without waiting until you're thirsty, and to aim for 1.5 to 2 liters. Certain foods and drinks help keep the body well hydrated, while others should be avoided because they can cause dehydration.

So what about coffee? The answer isn't so obvious. On the one hand, coffee contains water, which helps with hydration. But on the other, caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production, and therefore eliminates even more water. This can ultimately promote dehydration. Dr. Jean-Paul Hamon, honorary president of the French Federation of Physicians, recommended on RTL radio that " coffee be avoided, as it dehydrates ."

Coffee isn't the only drink that's not recommended during hot weather. This is the case for all drinks that contain caffeine, such as tea (despite the ancestral practice of the Tuaregs whose bodies are more acclimatized than ours), matcha coffee, but also other cold drinks popular in summer like frappé coffee or bubble tea. Drinks high in sugar (juices, sodas, etc.) should also be avoided in the event of a heatwave since sugar dehydrates and can have harmful effects on the kidneys, which are already put under strain by the heat.

Another drink that should obviously be avoided: alcohol. Even if a cold beer or a "pool rosé" makes you want to get out into the sun, alcoholic drinks dehydrate the body, which can be dangerous, especially if you don't eat healthy alongside it. Alcohol abuse is also dangerous for your health. The only recommended drink, as you might expect, is water, which should be avoided too cold!