Is Your Daily Dose Of Coffee Making You Sick In Summers? Here's What Experts Say (Image Credits: iStock)
Coffee remains a beloved beverage the whole year even as the temperatures soar. In summer, cold brews and iced lattes take over morning routines, but while coffee does offer numerous health benefits, experts suggest it may not always be the best drink for hot weather—especially when consumed without moderation or awareness. From dehydration to disrupted sleep cycles, your daily dose of caffeine may be affecting your summer wellness more than you realize.
Benefits of Drinking Coffee in Summer
Despite concerns, coffee is still rich in antioxidants and offers mental and physical health benefits. Caffeine, the key active compound in coffee, enhances alertness, cognitive performance, and mood.
“Coffee acts as a mental stimulant. It can uplift mood, improve concentration, and even act as a mild antidepressant due to its impact on neurotransmitters,” explains Dt Karuna Chaturvedi, Head – Clinical Nutrition, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Noida. She also adds that it can enhance physical endurance, making it a go-to pre-workout drink.
Research published in Nutrients (2020) supports the link between caffeine and improved athletic performance, particularly in endurance sports. It suggests caffeine enhances muscle contractions, increases adrenaline levels, and delays fatigue.
Downsides of Coffee During Hot Weather
However, coffee can pose challenges during the warmer months. “Caffeine is a mild diuretic, which means it can increase fluid loss through urination. In the summer heat, this could accelerate dehydration, especially if water intake is inadequate,” warns Rutu Dhodapkar, Deputy Manager - Dietetics and Head of the Dietetics Department, P. D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Khar, Mumbai.
Caffeine can raise blood pressure and heart rate, which may not be ideal for people with cardiovascular conditions. Consuming it later in the day can also interfere with sleep, reducing the body’s ability to recover from heat-related stress.
A 2014 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that consuming caffeine six hours before bedtime significantly disrupted sleep patterns and reduced total sleep time, particularly during summer when the body needs proper rest for thermoregulation.
Types of Coffee and Their Impact
Not all coffee is created equal, especially when it comes to how your body tolerates it in warm weather.
Espresso: Strong and concentrated; rich in antioxidants and offers a quick energy boost.
“In summer, cold coffee variants like cold brew or iced coffee are better tolerated, especially when made with plant-based milks like almond, oat, or coconut,” says Rutu Dhodapkar. “You can even add flavours like cinnamon, mint, or vanilla to make them more refreshing.”
Summer Coffee Drinking TipsIf you want to continue enjoying coffee during the hotter months, here are expert-approved tips:
Limit to 1–2 cups daily. Overconsumption can increase dehydration and disrupt sleep.
Hydrating Alternatives to Coffee
To beat the heat while still satisfying your palate, consider healthier and more hydrating alternatives:
Coconut water: Packed with electrolytes.
You can also make coffee-based smoothies with a healthy twist. “A coconut milk smoothie with banana, mango, and a small espresso shot makes for a delicious, chilled option,” suggests Dhodapkar.
Coffee can remain part of your daily routine even in summer—as long as you stay mindful. Stick to lighter, hydrating versions and balance your intake with plenty of water. Dt. Karuna Chaturvedi shares, “Moderation is key. Coffee is not inherently harmful in summer, but hydration and timing make all the difference.”
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