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Do hot drinks really cool you down? © Getty Images

Do hot drinks really cool you down?

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Visit hot countries like those in the Middle East and you'll find tea drinkers everywhere.

Asked by: Rhiannon Harris, by email

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During rest, your body generates around 360 kilojoules an hour, so a cup of tea is equivalent to about five minutes of heat production. The heat goes straight to your core, and can cause your body to think you're hotter than you really are. You'll sweat more and divert hot blood to your skin, which might cause you to lose more heat than you actually gained from the drink.

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luis villazon
Luis VillazonQ&A expert

Luis trained as a zoologist, but now works as a science and technology educator. In his spare time he builds 3D-printed robots, in the hope that he will be spared when the revolution inevitably comes.

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