UK households are being warned to avoid drinking coffee on Sunday and Monday as another heatwave is forecast to sweep the country.
The Met Office has said a heatwave will build over the weekend and will peak into the early part of next week, bringing the highest temperatures of the year so far. It is expected that temperatures in excess of 30C will be reached in the south east or East Anglia on Sunday, June 29, and it will be even hotter still on Monday in which is likely to be the peak of this heatwave. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued an amber heat-health alert for the East Midlands, South East, South West, London and the East of England until Tuesday, July 1, while a yellow alert is in place for Yorkshire and Humber and the West Midlands. Households are being warned to take precautions to stay safe in the hot weather, including avoiding certain drinks to prevent becoming dehydrated.
NHS and UKHSA health advice says caffeine and hot drinks, like coffee, should be avoided in such conditions. Caffeine has a diuretic effect and when consumed in large amounts, it can result in dehydration.
The NHS says: “Cool yourself down. Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes.”
But it’s not only this dehydrating effect that means coffee should be avoided during the peak of the heatwave on Sunday and Monday. Coffee may be rich in caffeine but it also has a high histamine content, which can make hay fever symptoms worse.
Histamine is a naturally occurring compound that can trigger allergy symptoms, which include a runny or blocked nose, itchy and watery eyes, and sneezing, among others. While coffee doesn’t cause the allergic reaction, it can cause an inflammatory response that makes hay fever worse.
Herbal health specialists A.Vogel explain: “Most of you probably use coffee as a crutch to get out of bed in the mornings. Throughout the day you can crave caffeine, especially if hay fever is already making you feel a bit like a zombie, however it can be the worst thing to reach for.
“Caffeine can stress the adrenal glands, which are already working overtime to produce enough cortisol to counter the inflammatory effects of histamine. When your adrenals become fatigued, the symptoms of hayfever can become much worse, making you even more miserable.
“Coffee can also be considered a diuretic if it is consumed in excess, which can then dehydrate you, having even more negative implications for your immune system.”
The Met Office pollen forecast shows pollen levels will be “high” for much of the UK on Sunday, with “very high” levels in the East Midlands. Pollen levels will then worsen at the start of next week, with “very high” levels forecast in Yorkshire and Humber, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England, South West England, London and South East England.
There is no cure for hay fever but it can be managed by taking an antihistamine or using a nasal spray, but the Met Office says often the best way to manage symptoms is through prevention – which includes ditching coffee.
Neil Laird, Specialist Optometrist at Pure Optical, says switching to decaf coffee is a better option during the hay fever season, or if you’re feeling adventurous, nettle tea has natural antihistamine properties so is a good option for your morning beverage.
He explains: “Pollen triggers an allergic response that causes the body to release histamine, leading to inflammation, redness, and excessive tear production. For many, this isn’t just a mild irritation, it can be downright debilitating.
“Research suggests caffeine can increase histamine levels, meaning your morning cup of coffee could be making your symptoms worse. Switching to herbal tea or decaf coffee could help keep your eyes calmer. While stepping on them might give you a rash, nettles actually have natural antihistamine properties and may help reduce inflammation caused by pollen allergies.”
The UKHSA adds: “Water and diluted squash or lower fat milks are good choices. Fruit juice, smoothies and soft drinks can be high in sugar which dehydrates the body. Limit the amount of fruit juice or smoothies that you drink, and swap sugary soft drinks for diet, sugar-free or no added sugar varieties.
“If you are going out, take a refillable bottle filled with water. Take extra water for journeys on public transport or by car. Alcohol has a dehydrating effect on the body, so it is a good idea to choose alcohol-free options, or alternate alcoholic drinks with a glass of water.”