Why we should avoid coffee, soda on hot days

MANILA -- Drinking as much fluids as we can is advisable to combat hot summer days, but not all beverages offer the same benefits.

Dr. Celeste Ong-Ramos, an endocrinologist, said people working under the sun should avoid drinking coffee, team or soda during hot days.

"Bawal ang kape, tsaa at softdrinks dahil ito ay diuretic," she said in an interview on DZMM's "Magandang Gabi Dok."

Diuretics are food and drinks that induce the production of urine. Too much urination during hot days can cause dehydration and loss of not only body fluids, but also electrolytes.

The best way to replenish body fluids, according to Ramos, is to drink plenty of water. Fruit juices and energy or sports drinks are also advisable.

"Sports drinks are rich in electrolytes. Pati fruit juices, kasi ang fruits are rich in electrolytes," she said.

Preventing dehydration is one of the ways to prevent heat exhaustion or even heat stroke.

According to Ramos, a person may suffer from heat stroke once his or her body temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius, or three degrees higher than the normal body temperature of 37 degrees.

Too much heat can damage the organs, and may eventually lead to death.

"Nagko-cause po ito ng pagkasira ng cells natin, ng internal organs, kaya nagli-lead po ito sa pagkamatay," Ramos explained.

Symptoms of heat stroke include delirium, hallucination, or agitation, which can lead to loss of consciousness.

People who spend a lot of time under the sun are at high risk of heat stroke, especially if they do not have enough protection from the sun.

The first thing that should be done on a person suffering from a heat stroke or heat exhaustion is to cool them down.

One can also put ice cubes on a person's arm pit and groin area, where there are high concentration of blood vessels that can help lower the body temperature.

If the person if conscious, he or she should also be given water to help in decreasing the body temperature.