Scientists urge Brits not to drink ORANGE JUICE during the UK heatwave
The UK heatwave is well and truly here, with today set to be the hottest day of the year so far.
Temperatures across parts of the country will hit 32°C today, before similar highs tomorrow and then 33°C on Saturday.
To cope with the heat, you might be tempted to reach for a delicious cold drink.
But if you want to avoid dehydration, make sure it's not orange juice.
That's according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), who have urged Brits to avoid fruit juices and smoothies during the heatwave.
'Fruit juice, smoothies and soft drinks can be high in sugar which dehydrates the body,' the UKHSA explained.
'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.'
Instead, it's best to stick to water, diluted squash, or lower fat milks, the experts advise.
Dehydration occurs when your body loses more fluids than it takes in.
Worryingly, if left untreated, dehydration can lead to more serious issues including heatstroke, kidney failure, and even brain damage.
To prevent dehydration during spells of hot weather, it's important to drink fluids regularly throughout the day - especially if you are active.
'You should drink enough that your pee is a pale straw colour,' the UKHSA advised.
Sugary juices, smoothies and soft drinks aren't the only drinks that the experts advise against.
Despite the temptation of a sunny beer garden, it's also wise to avoid alcohol.
'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,' they added.
The advice comes as the UKHSA activated yellow heat-health alerts for most of England, which will run until Sunday evening.
The Government alerts warn of an increased use of healthcare services by vulnerable people and cover all regions of England apart from the North East and North West.
An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three days in a row, with thresholds varying from 25°C to 28°C in different areas.
The current warmest day of the year so far was last Friday when temperatures reached 29.4°C at Santon Downham in Suffolk.
That broke the previous record for 2025 which stood at 29.3°C, recorded on May 1 at Kew Gardens in London.
But records are unlikely to be broken this week for the UK's highest temperature in June, which was 35.6°C in Southampton during the historic heatwave of 1976.
WHY YOU HAVE TO DRINK WATER
Odell Beckham Jr, wide receiver for the New York Giants, said he doesn't like water.
Water accounts for about 60 percent of the human body, including 90 percent of our blood.
That's why it is essential for almost every bodily function to work effectively and smoothly.
There is no consensus on how much water a day you should drink, but it is generally agreed that eight glasses of water a day is sensible.
A FEW REASONS WHY WATER IS ESSENTIAL
1. For clear eyes and full hearts
Water lubricates the eyes to keep them moist and help vision. It also pumps oxygen through the body, which is key for heart health.
2. To stay limber
Cartilage is 80 percent water. Those who swap out water for soda have a higher risk of joint pain and injuries.
3. For clarity of thought
The brain is used to a certain amount of water, and when it's dehydrated we get dizzy, slow of thought, with slower reactions.
4. To digest food
Water is like gasoline for our bowels. Without it, stool doesn't break down properly, the stomach can fill with acid, increasing the risks of stomach ulcers, colon cancer, heartburn, constipation, and metabolism disorders.
5. Keeping blood pressure in check
When the blood lacks water, it thickens, increasing blood pressure.
WHAT IF YOU ONLY DRINK SODA?
1. Tooth decay
Water is essential for flushing bacteria out of your mouth. Soda does a great job at loading up teeth with plaque.
2. Dehydration
Most soda has caffeine in it, which is a diuretic and dehydrating.
Because it's a diuretic, it means you need the toilet more than if you were drinking water, which also increases dehydration.
3. Poorer athletic performance
A recent study showed dehydration and fluid loss worsens performance in any physical activity that lasts longer than 30 minutes.
4. Weight gain
Even low-calorie sodas are no match for water when it comes to calories. Two Cokes, for example, will add 300 calories to your daily total. Even Diet Coke, with zero calories, affects your weight because the replacement sweetener, aspartame, has been shown to derail metabolism.
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