National Weather Service Says ‘Avoid Coffee’ During Heat Wave

Dangerous heat will be moving through Indiana over the next week, and the National Weather Service has issued a warning that might throw off your morning routine.

In case you haven't heard, the first dangerous, prolonged heatwave of the year begins Saturday and continues well into next week, in our region. The National Weather Service out of Paducah says that highs are forecast in the low to mid-90s, but humid conditions will result in daily heat indices of 102 to 107 degrees. That's extremely hot!

With this upcoming heatwave, of course, you are advised to take extra precautions, such as:

• Drink plenty of fluids
• Stay in an air-conditioned room
• Stay out of the sun
• When outside, wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing
• Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening
• Check on your pets regularly
• And take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke

All of those are common warnings that we all should know about when it comes to being in the heat. However, there is yet another warning that the National Weather Service put out recently that you might not be aware of.

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Avoid Caffeine During a Heatwave

The National Weather Service in Las Vegas issued a warning about a heatwave going on in that region. According to the Daily Mail, temperatures were expected to hit up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. That's a little higher than the temperatures we are expected to get here in Indiana, but the warning they issued would still apply since we will be seeing a pretty dangerous heatwave move into our area.

According to the post from the National Weather Service, during a heatwave, you will want to avoid heavy foods that are high in protein as well as caffeinated beverages. That includes coffee and sodas. Coffee is something that most Hoosiers need to kickstart their day. This could cause a little disruption to our daily routines.

So, why exactly should we avoid coffee and other caffeinated beverages during a heatwave? The Daily Mail reports:

The agency said due to its caffeine, even iced coffee is a diuretic, meaning it tells the body to produce and pass more urine. Energy drinks and soda are also a risk.

Increased urination causes the body to lose fluids, and if those fluids can't be replaced, the body becomes dehydrated.

Without enough fluids, blood volume in the body diminishes, damaging the kidneys, heart, brain and other vital organs.

So, you might want to start thinking about other options to kickstart your day, just to play it safe during this heatwave we have coming up. Make sure you plan ahead and take safety precautions if you plan on being outside. It would also be helpful, if you do plan on being outside, to know how to spot heat exhaustion and heat stroke.