Health Officials Warn Against Coffee in Extreme Heat

In a surprising turn for caffeine lovers, Americans in Nevada, California, and Arizona have been advised to skip their morning coffee during this week’s intense heatwave. According to a report by Emily Joshu Sterne at DailyMail.com, the National Weather Service (NWS) is urging people to avoid diuretic drinks—including iced coffee, soda, and energy drinks—as temperatures soar to dangerous levels, hitting 120°F (49°C) in some areas.

These drinks promote fluid loss by increasing urination. In extreme heat, when the body is already losing fluids through sweat, this added dehydration can become deadly. Without enough fluids, blood volume drops, which can impair vital organs like the heart, kidneys, and brain. Even sweating becomes less effective, raising the risk of heat stroke—marked by nausea, rapid pulse, vomiting, and potentially, organ failure.

The NWS also issued a warning about high-protein foods. Unlike carbs and fats, protein takes more energy to digest, which raises internal body temperature—a phenomenon called diet-induced thermogenesis. So, eating that protein-packed steak or chicken could actually make you hotter.

This heatwave is so extreme that even Alaska has issued its first-ever heat advisory, and experts warn that Climate change could triple heat-related deaths in the next 50 years. Already, around 1,200 Americans die from heat annually, though underreporting means the actual toll may be much higher.

Instead of reaching for coffee or heavy meals, the NWS recommends hydrating with water or electrolyte-rich sports drinks and opting for cooling foods like cucumbers, watermelon, and berries. Better yet, skip the meat entirely—your body (and the planet) will thank you.

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