What’s the first beverage you reach for when the temperature is on the warmer side? A soft drink, juice, beer or perhaps a wine?
We all know that drinking water is the most effective way to replace lost fluids on a hot day and adequately cool down. Yet, many of us still opt for a chilled cola, beer or vino because it makes us exhale with a sense of summer satisfaction.
So why do we crave more sugary drinks in summer?
...people with a sweet tooth (who like sugary drinks) find it harder to resist the temptation of sugary drinks as temperatures rise.
Sugary cravings and heat waves
A conducted in Mexico – where heat waves have become more frequent in recent times – gives us a possible answer. The study of the consumption habits of around 85,000 Mexican households shows that people who prefer the taste of sweetened drinks find it a lot harder to resist the temptation as the heat rises.
showed that Mexican consumers increased their soda and juice consumption by 20 per cent in weeks where daily temperatures rose above 32°C. Water consumption did not increase.
Accredited Practising Dietitian at , Karissa Deutrom, explains that all humans have an innate preference for sweetness that could skyrocket on a hot day. Add to that the human need to rehydrate in the heat and you can understand why you always feel like a cola or cocktail in summer.
“We are hardwired to desire sugary tastes,” Deutrom tells SBS. “That's because the body runs on sugar – glucose – that we use for energy. In extremely hot weather, you can feel quite lethargic and really crave an energy hit. This is why some people may opt for a sweet, sugary drink [even though] physiologically, there's no reason why we should actually drink anything but water to stay hydrated.”
Deutrom adds another reason to the mix. “There’s also the. We know that drinking sugary drinks gives our brain a dopamine hit. Dopamine is that feel-good hormone that leaves us craving more and more.”
Beverage manufacturers know this and they create sugary drinks with a ‘bliss point’: “that’s a sweet spot that gives consumers the greatest amount of pleasure from the taste of a beverage".
According to Cancer Council SA, a regular 600ml soft drink contains about (to put that into perspective, adults should not have more than throughout the whole day).
“People will often say that sugary drinks are quite addictive. Companies have developed them specifically with our taste buds and the human preference for sweetness in mind.”
Drinking cold alcohol might make us feel cooler and more comfortable for a few minutes while we are drinking it. But it can actually dehydrate you because alcohol is a diuretic.
Advertising and alcohol
Advertising also plays a big role in shaping our preferences for a cold brew in the heat. We’ve all seen the ads featuring beers being consumed by happy people at the beach or an outdoor BBQ. Everyone seems so chilled, attractive and fun with a cold beer in hand.
Deutrom explains that these images are no accident: they are intended to make you associate drinking a beer on a hot day with refreshment and joy.
“Alcohol relaxes you. It lowers your inhibitions and helps you to feel good in the short-term. Drinking cold alcohol might make us feel cooler and more comfortable for a few minutes while we are drinking it. But it can actually dehydrate you because alcohol is a diuretic.
“Drinking alcohol increases your urine output, which is why it’s important to always drink more water.”
Weight gain is risk factor for 13 different cancers and other chronic diseases as well, such as type 2 diabetes.
Of course soft drinks and alcohol can be consumed occasionally but they can cause serious health issues over the long-term if sugar cravings take over for the whole of summer and a one-off treat turns into a daily habit.
“Drinking soft drinks or alcohol to excess can lead to weight gain,” she says, adding the point that we also may do less exercise on very hot days. “Weight gain is risk factor for 13 different cancers and other chronic diseases as well, such as type 2 diabetes.
“Alcohol is also a known carcinogen, and for cancer prevention, there’s no safe level. The more you drink, the greater your risk.”
Deutrom urges people to rehydrate using water instead of sugary drinks as part of Cancer Council SA's campaign. Swap out a sugary drink for sparkling mineral water, which has quite a pleasurable sensation on the tongue. Or, add a slice of cucumber or lemon to your water for additional taste.
“Try and surf the urge for sugary drinks because if you consume a sugary beverage, you’ll only get empty calories.
“It's not really going to quench your thirst or make you feel more comfortable in the heat long-term. Water is the best choice to stay hydrated – it’s exactly what the body needs.”
