Doctor recommends this surprising drink over water in a heatwave

As lovely as the warm weather is, it doesn’t come without its warnings.

As lovely as the warm weather is, it doesn’t come without its warnings.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber heat health alert, the second of the three warning tiers, across the East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, London and South East, which will remain active until 5 pm on Wednesday.

A yellow alert is in place throughout the North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber and the South West.

The government body warned that vulnerable groups could be at risk during the heatwave, adding that soaring demand for electricity may “exceed capacity” as people turn to fans and air conditioning.

Alongside advice to avoid the midday sun and wear sunscreen, Brits are being urged to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

However, before you reach for your water bottle, one doctor says there may be a better option during a heatwave: milk.

As odd as it sounds, Dr Natasha Fernando, medical director at Medichecks, claims it ‘may be more hydrating than water’.

She told Metro: "A lot of buildings in the UK aren’t well equipped to deal with extreme heat, so it’s more important than ever to look after your hydration levels throughout periods of hot weather.

"However, you don’t have to stick to water alone to boost hydration levels."

Dr Natasha went on to explain that due to the sugar, protein, and fat content of milk, which slows the rate at which fluid empties from the stomach, a glass of milk helps you stay hydrated over longer periods.

"Milk also contains sodium," she adds, "which allows your body to hold onto water for longer, aiding hydration levels."

Fortunately, those who are vegan or lactose intolerant can still benefit by opting for a plant-based alternative. Dr Natasha adds that “soya milk also contains electrolytes, which can further aid rehydration.

Alongside milk, she recommends watermelons, coconut water, cucumbers or cucumber juice, and fresh fruit juices diluted with water to help stay cool.

You may have also heard the old advice that a hot drink helps in warm weather — and surprisingly, there’s some truth behind it.

Despite it not being very refreshing, a steaming cup of tea can cool you down by prompting your body to sweat.

"The hot drink somehow has an effect on your systemic cooling mechanisms, which exceeds its actual effect in terms of heating your body," Peter McNaughton, a neuroscientist at the University of Cambridge, told NPR.

"That’s probably why chilli peppers are so popular in hot countries, because they cause sweating and activate a whole raft of mechanisms which lower the temperature."

That said, it depends on your sweat being able to evaporate. If it’s too humid or you’re bundled up, a hot drink could leave you feeling hotter instead.