Expert: Walter Hintz - 6/20/2006

Question
Here's a curious fact I had known for years but could never really explain; maybe you can help.  I understand that some people in the Middle East and other triple-degree nations like to cool off by drinking hot tea outside; the argument that is that it causes the body to cool off even more than drinking iced tea.  

This is something I found to be true, but I've always wanted to know why in reasonable detail that hot liquids would cause the body to react in this way.  I appreciate your help.  

Answer
The only explanation that comes to mind Augusto, is that ingesting hot drinks and foods increases the perspiration rate.  Perspiring is a negative feedback mechanism to lower body temperature by heat loss through evaporation.  It happens to me when I eat spicy hot foods.